Environmental Group Exaggerates Number of Jobs 'Green' Energy Mandate Would Create

The Michigan Environmental Council exaggerated in a press release the number of jobs that would be created by the renewable energy ballot proposal when it erroneously cited how a Michigan State University report calculated jobs.

The Michigan Environmental Council’s press release said that the Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs renewable energy ballot proposal would create 74,495 jobs.

However, the report never said it would create 74,495 jobs, but instead said it would create that many "job years." It's an important distinction in economic analysis that the MSU report acknowledges.

For example, a person hired by a green company who worked for that company for 25 years would create 25 "job years," but just one job.

The Environmental Council had no definition of job years in its press release. Officials from the group didn't respond to emails seeking comment.

"They are abusing their report to fit their predetermined agenda," said Jason Gillman, a tea party activist from Traverse City. "There is no question about that. It’s misleading."