July 27, 2006
LANSING – At an event today in Ypsilanti to highlight ethanol production and use in Michigan, the Governor called on President Bush to take immediate action against excessive oil profits in the face of record high gas prices. Granholm joined with Indy Racing League drivers, the Michigan International Speedway (MIS), Marathon, and Michigan Ethanol to pump discounted gas for local residents.
Granholm criticized the president for failing to take meaningful action to quickly bring down the price of gasoline or cap excessive oil profits, which were called for in her petition to the president that has now been signed by nearly 300,000 citizens. The governor has called for the president to cap oil company profits and regulate big oil companies.
“Yesterday, the president was celebrating an energy package that hasn’t done anything to bring down the price of gas for consumers,” said Granholm. “Today we have to have a special event just to get prices under $3.00 a gallon. That’s just plain wrong.”
At Granholm’s request, the Michigan Department of Agriculture has moved to a round-the-clock inspection program throughout the summer to ensure citizens are getting all they pay for at the pump.
In 2005, Granholm ordered more gas inspections. During fiscal year 2006, the Michigan Department of Agriculture has inspected over 10,900 pumps across the state versus 6,985 for the prior year, resulting in a 100 percent increase in the number of pump inspections.
The governor also underscored that she wants the state to be a leader in the production of alternative fuels like ethanol. “Michigan can be a leader in alternative energy technology development which can help create jobs in Michigan and end the nation’s reliance on foreign oil,” Granholm said. Last week, Granholm signed legislation providing a single business tax research and development compensation credit that will assist a new joint venture by Chrysler, General Motors, and BMW to develop hybrid technology.
Also in the last three weeks:
• Granholm signed legislation to provide tax incentives to people who use ethanol and biodiesel in their cars and trucks (PA 268);
• the state’s first biodiesel production facility opened in Bangor and will use Michigan-grown soybeans to produce fuel for vehicles;
• Granholm signed legislation providing incentives to service stations that install ethanol and biodiesel pumps (PA 274);
• more gas stations are installing ethanol and biodiesel pumps thanks to a partnership between the state, Meijer, and General Motors.
“We are making progress, but the effort is just beginning,” Granholm said. “Our 21st Century Jobs Fund will continue investing in alternative energy technology, our unique agriculture renaissance zones program will provide incentives for up to 15 additional ethanol plants, and we will continue our gas pump inspections to ensure that you get the quantity and quality you deserve at the pump.”
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