The Kings visit.

Swedish king's visit signifies state's promising alternative energy effort
by Lee Gonzales Guest Writer
Sunday September 21, 2008, 12:27 AM


When the king of Sweden comes to Flint this week, you will be amazed to hear how his country is solving the problems of high energy costs and global climate change. A recognized international leader in alternative energy, Sweden's ability to generate biogas is decades ahead of the U.S., providing an innovative road map for Michigan.


Sweden and Michigan are comparably populated and our northern latitudes and great boundaries of water have many similarities, including miles and miles of wooded terrain. In Linkoping, Sweden, a comparably sized city to Flint, Swedish Biogas has built an enterprise that now employs 1,100 people. Working with our Swedish partners will further strengthen Michigan's competitive advantage in biofuels. With an alternative energy market that stretches across North America, Michigan's potential employment opportunities are endless.

As we celebrate General Motors' 100th anniversary and its importance in our community, it is time to move toward energy independence through Centers of Energy Excellence. Globalization and international trade demand it. Given that only 4 percent of our transportation fuels come from Michigan, we must launch our region and state into a whole new era of technological innovation and prosperity.

This energy excellence concept allows a business to partner with universities and local and state governments to attract federally funded research and development into the advancement of new technologies in alternative energy. The partnership involving the city of Flint, Swedish Biogas International AB, Kettering University and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. holds the promise of a number of new industries stemming from the initial project that will turn municipal waste into energy.

In its earliest stage, the business model would take waste from the wastewater treatment plant and convert it into clean-burning biofuels that can be used in public transportation buses and municipal vehicles. When fully implemented, the technology can be installed across the U.S. with equipment made by Michigan's manufacturing sector.It is important to note that Sweden utilizes other alternative energy practices. For example, rather than covering its landscape with landfills, Sweden turns almost every possible type of waste into energy.

Enabling Michigan to establish Centers of Energy Excellence is why it was so vitally important to fast-track legislation earlier this summer. Signed into law on July 17 by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, this initiative firmly positions Michigan in the alternative energy sector as we compete in the new global knowledge economy.

This Friday, we turn the page on a new chapter in Genesee County's history. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden will come to Flint to showcase and celebrate the historic partnership that brings his country's alternative energy technology and strategies to our state. As we lay the foundation to implement the Flint Center of Bioenergy, the ceremonial groundbreaking at Kettering University on Friday will certainly be a day we remember long into the future.State

Rep. Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Township, is chairman of the House Transportation Committee. He is a former development director for Genesee County and has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Michigan-Flint.


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