Washington (Platts)--28Oct2008

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, whose state suffers from the worst
unemployment rate in the nation, has announced a governmental reorganization
she hopes will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs in the renewable
energy sector.

Granholm on Monday said the state's Department of Labor and Economic
Growth will now handle all activities related to the energy sector and the
director of the agency also will take on the role of the state's Chief Energy
Officer.

Stanley Pruss, who has served as Granholm's special adviser on renewable
energy, will serve as the chief energy officer, and will replace Keith Cooley
as director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Cooley left state
government to become CEO of NextEnergy a Detroit-based non-profit created to
become one of the country's leading "catalysts" of alternative and renewable
energy.

Granholm's office said in a statement that NextEnergy will "strategically
partner" with the department to "aggressively further the state's energy
agenda."

"The new energy economy is, singularly, Michigan's greatest opportunity
to create thousands of new jobs, attract new investment and diversify our
economy," Granholm said. "By consolidating the state's energy efforts, we will
create an efficient alignment of all the state's tools and resources to focus
with laser-like precision on leading the nation in the new evolving energy
sectors."

Granholm said the reorganization and partnership with NextEnergy will
allow Michigan to enter into collaborations with the private sector and state
universities and community colleges.

The redesigned Department of Labor also will promote the development of
advanced energy technologies by using Michigan's strength's in tool and die
and metal fabrication, the governor said.