Michigan Clean Cities coalition ready to support US DOE in “deployment, deployment, deployment” following Vice President Kamala Harris’ discussion on climate change
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2023
(Ann Arbor, MI) Today, MI Clean Cities Coalition (MICC) was among invited guests for a conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris about the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to addressing climate change. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on the University of Michigan campus at the Rackham Auditorium. The conversation was moderated by US Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Kyle Whyte, founding Faculty Director of the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment at University of Michigan. Opening remarks were made by Lashaun Jackson, Co-President of the Student Sustainability Coalition at University of Michigan.
Vice President Harris came to the campus to discuss “the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic and ongoing work to combat the climate change crisis,” explains a statement from the White House.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to hear Vice President Harris’s remarks about the historic commitment this administration has made to address climate change,” said Maggie Striz Calnin, Director of Michigan Clean Cities. “The Vice President, Senator Stabenow, Congresswoman Dingell, and US Department of Energy Secretary Granholm each shared examples of ways federal policies, like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, directly support Michigan-based organizations. Michigan Clean Cities is excited to continue to support our members and stakeholders in accessing federal funding and technical assistance to adopt low- and zero-emission vehicles and fuels. This year Michigan Clean Cities celebrates 20 years driving the clean transportation paradigm shift in Michigan and welcome this investment to significantly boost the availability of clean transportation options for all Michiganders.”
Vice President Harris emphasized the importance of environmental justice in her comments sharing that she has discussed with other world leaders the intersection between providing for environmental justice and addressing climate change and sees that the Justice 40 Initiative and the nearly $1 trillion in investments through the IRA and BIL can serve as examples to other nations of ways to support social equity in alignment with policies and programs that address climate change.
The Vice President stated that these policies support the goal of increasing participation by 50% in federal contracting among minority- and women-owned business entities (MBE/WBE) as well as a focus on Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) as ways to increase participation of underserved small businesses in the clean energy economy.
Secretary Granholm’s comments ahead of moderating the conversation with the Vice President included emphasis on “deployment, deployment, deployment” of existing clean technologies as well as planning for and preparing for adoption of advanced technologies currently in development.
“MICC’s work is right in line with Secretary Granholm’s priority of deployment now and planning for what’s next,” said Striz Calnin. “MICC is part of the 80 organization-strong US DOE Clean Cities Initiative network supporting deployment of advanced vehicle and fuel technologies. We encourage fleet managers and operators to reach out to our clean fleet consulting practice and members of the public to follow our social media accounts and website for ways to cut transportation emissions and join in the fight against climate change today.”
