On Sept. 24, an editorial was published in The State News titled Focus on economy first, then renewable energy. It was a well-written piece that highlighted the benefits of bringing sustainability to Michigan; however, it called for our state legislators to hold off on implementing an increase in the renewable portfolio standard, or RPS, for another year. The claim that the ailing Michigan economy can’t handle the stress of another government program is valid, but this program is the key to lowering the state’s unemployment and home foreclosure rates by bringing jobs that stay in Michigan to Michigan.

It is the very same backseat approach that put Michigan in this situation in the first place. The inability of the legislation to invest in anything other than the auto industry’s manufacturing jobs is stifling the promising innovation and goodwill of the people who are trying to bring our economy into the 21st century. It’s time a breath of new life entered the lungs of our increasingly hopeless job market, and this fresh air will only come from funding the job opportunities that are created by the RPS.