October 11, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the formation of the Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission to promote the production and distribution of alternative fuel in Michigan.
 
“As more E-85 and flex fuel vehicles are produced, it is essential that we make biodiesel and ethanol products more widely available and encourage their use,” Granholm said.  “This commission will move Michigan one step closer to becoming the nation’s leader in developing and producing alternative energy.”
 
The Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission was established under Public Act 272 of 2006 signed by Governor Granholm earlier this year.  The seven-bill package also reduced the gas tax by 36 percent on fuel that contains ethanol and by 20 percent on biodiesel blends, provided grants to service station owners who renovate or expand their existing stations to make E-85 and biodiesel available, and allowed for the creation of new agriculture renaissance zones to help spur additional ethanol and biodiesel plants.  Granholm has called for the state to have 1,000 biofuel pumps available by 2008. 

The commission is charged with investing and recommending strategies that the governor and Legislature may implement to promote the use of alternative fuels and encourage the use of vehicles that utilize alternative fuel.  The commission will also identify mechanisms that promote research of alternative fuels.

Appointees will serve at the pleasure of the governor and are as follows:

Dr. K. Joel Berry of Flint, mechanical engineering department director at Kettering University, appointed to represent colleges and universities engaged in alternative fuel research.

Dr. Steven B. Bertman of Kalamazoo, chemistry professor at Western Michigan University. 

James E. Byrum of Onondaga, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. 

Steven E. Chester of Williamston, director of the Department of Environmental Quality. 

David E. Cole of Ann Arbor, chairman for the Center for Automotive Research, appointed to represent the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

James A. Croce of Grosse Pointe Farms, CEO of Next Energy Center.

Jeffrey E. Ehlert of Blissfield, chairman of Great Lakes Ethanol LLC, appointed to represent ethanol producers.

Dr. Zoran Filipi of Ann Arbor, associate research professor in the mechanical engineering department at University of Michigan, appointed to represent colleges and universities engaged in alternative fuel research.

Charles J. Griffith of Ann Arbor, auto project director at the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, appointed to represent environmental organizations.

Mitch Irwin of East Lansing, director of the Department of Agriculture.

Susan L. Kuck of Saginaw, president of Wilson Petroleum Company, appointed to represent retail petroleum sellers.

J. Peter Lark of Okemos, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission, appointed to represent the Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

Trevor F. Lauer of Rochester, vice president of retail marketing for DTE Energy Co.

Peter C. Madden of Gladstone, program director for Plum Creek Timber.

Curtis N. Magleby of Saline, director of governmental affairs for Ford Motor Company, appointed to represent the automotive manufacturing industry.

Kimberly K. Mahrle of Manchester, corporation secretary for G.E. Wacker, Inc appointed to represent petroleum suppliers.

Kirk N. Mercer of Jackson, president of R. W. Mercer.

Deborah L. Morrissett of Troy, vice president of regulatory affairs for Daimler Chrysler, appointed to represent the automotive manufacturing industry.

Barry A. Mumby of Colon, manager for Wakeshma Farms, LLC, appointed to represent the largest organization in the state that represents soybean producers exclusively.

Bruce D. Noel of Leslie, owner and operator of Noel Farms, appointed to represent the largest organization in the state that represents corn producers exclusively.

Michael A. Petersen of Gowen, owner and president of Petersen Oil Company, Inc., appointed to represent automotive fuel blenders.

Dr. Steven G. Pueppke of Okemos, director of the Office of Bio-Based Technologies at Michigan State University, appointed to represent colleges and universities engaged in alternative fuel research.

Dr. Mary E. Stanek of Grosse Pointe, alliance manager for General Motors Strategic Initiatives, appointed to represent the automotive manufacturing industry.

Richard Vande Vusse of Escanaba, president of VonAire Inc., and Ag Solutions, Inc., appointed to represent biodiesel producers.

Rose M. Wilson of Haslett, director of Agency Services and Fleet Operations for the Department of Management and Budget.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.