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On June 24, the Green Machines Tour stopped in Michigan to showcase the fuel-efficient vehicle technologies that are being produced by UAW members in Region 1A. At the event, entitled "The Green Machines Technology Forum", the UAW, environmental leaders and state officials joined together to show support for greater automobile fuel-efficiency and policies to promote increased production of advanced vehicle technologies. The event began with a press conference that featured representatives from the UAW, the Ecology Center, and state officials, including Director Hollister from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Director Hollister applauded the efforts in southeast Michigan and encouraged new policies that would increase support for advanced vehicle technologies in Michigan - such as tax incentives and funding for new technology development in Governor Granholm's bond proposal.
Charles Griffith of the Ecology Center highlighted the fact that the advanced technologies produced by UAW members in southeast Michigan make a very impact on fuel-economy. "These engines and transmissions are likely to increase the fuel economy of more than 2 million vehicles per year, by 4 to 20%. That translates into putting more than half a million new hybrids on the road each year," said Griffith. "These new engines and transmissions also represent more than $1.5 billion in new investment, and the creation or preservation of at least 2,300 jobs. Now that's making an impact." Griffith continued, "Don't get me wrong; we still think hybrids are great. But if we are to make significant progress in reducing overall fuel economy we've got to improve the efficiency of as many vehicles as possible - and these new engines and transmissions are a key way to begin doing that." Many of the advanced vehicle technologies made in southeast Michigan were on display at the event, including GM's new six-speed automatic transmission, Detroit Diesel's new clean diesel engine, and GM's Vortec Engine with "Displacement on Demand". "I commend the Ecology Center and UAW Region 1A for their partnership in convening the Green Machines Technology Forum," stated Michigan's Senator Carl Levin, who has been spearheading legislation in Congress to provide a mix of consumer and manufacturer incentives for advanced vehicle technologies. "This forum will demonstrate that we can have a healthy automotive industry and a healthy environment. By promoting advanced technologies, we advance the health of our environment while keeping good jobs - and creating good jobs - here in Michigan."
The event also included a policy roundtable that discussed policy options in Michigan that could help to further advance the manufacture of fuel-efficient and other advanced vehicle technologies, and explained how these new technologies hold great promise to create good union jobs while advancing Michigan's economy. Participants in the roundtable included representatives from the UAW, the Ecology Center, the National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense, the Center for Automotive Research, the EPA, Apollo Alliance, auto company representatives, Senator Liz Brater, Representative Chris Kolb, and other state officials. The event was hosted by UAW Local 735 in Canton, Michigan. Members of Local 735 are building GM's new six-speed automatic transmission at the GM's Willow Run plant in Ypsilanti. The transmission has been responsible for over $600 million in plant investment and has resulted in the retention of over 650 jobs at the plant. For more information, please see:
Green Machines Tour - A project of the Ecology Center - 117 N. Division - Ann Arbor, MI 48104 - 734.761.3186 - info@greenmachinestour.org
The Ecology Center is a non profit environmental organization that works for a safe and healthy environment where people live, work and play.
Staff are organized as members of UAW Local 38. |
Director David Hollister from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic
Growth was a featured speaker at the press conference.
