Wind, Solar Firms Picked For Granholm’s Governor Mansion Soon Went Broke
Detroit Free Press reported the installation meant she’s not kidding on renewables
A July 11, 2009, story in the Detroit Free Press described then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s renewable energy efforts.
“When Gov. Jennifer Granholm boasts that Michigan should be the renewable energy capital of the nation, she’s not kidding,” the article stated.
“To prove her point, Granholm had a Michigan-made wind turbine installed at the official residence in Lansing, and it started producing energy last week.”
The 1.2 kilowatt-per-hour turbine was made in Manistee by Mariah Power.
The 2009 article also reported that Granholm planned to install solar panels made by United Solar Ovonic on the roof of the gubernatorial residence within the next few months.
Mariah Power later became Windspire Energy. Both it and United Solar Ovonic filed for bankruptcy in 2012, only three years later.
Both companies were subsidized through state tax credits delivered under the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. United Solar Ovonic was awarded a $17.3 million tax credit in 2008. Mariah Power was awarded a $400,000 grant by the MEDC in 2008.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.