During November, I will be traveling around the state with my economic development team, talking to local business leaders who are growing a new industry right here in our backyard. We’ll be visiting cities where the alternative energy sector is growing jobs and helping to reduce our reliance on foreign oil. And I will be listening to hear what we can do to make sure Michigan continues to be a leader in this critical industry and that our citizens get good-paying alternative energy-related jobs.

The International Energy Agency estimates that $20 trillion will be spent worldwide on energy production in the next 25 years, with investments in alternative energy growing dramatically every year. Citizens are rightfully becoming more concerned with global warming, our reliance on foreign oil, and the impact those things have on our environment, our economy and our national security.

But America’s energy challenge is Michigan’s economic opportunity. Michigan is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this green energy revolution, because our productive farms and forests can grow the fuels of the future, our untapped wind resources offer us a huge source of clean electricity, our universities and corporate research centers are becoming world leaders in alternative energy science and our manufacturing know-how can help build the green energy economy.

With our manufacturers being hit hard by the forces of globalization, we need to focus now on alternative energy industries and the growing demand for them. Finding and commercializing alternative sources of energy is going to be critical for our nation, and if we lead the way in Michigan, it can mean thousands and thousands of jobs for Michigan citizens.

We know that wind can provide inexpensive electricity, so I’ll be talking to leaders in the wind energy industry about ways we can expand production in Michigan and give Michigan workers the chance to build and assemble wind turbines that can be used around the world.

We know that the sun is a powerful source of energy, so I’m going to talk to Michigan’s great photovoltaic manufacturers to make sure they have everything they need to compete and continue expanding and creating jobs.

We also know that with high gas prices and uncertain oil supplies, clean burning fuels that come from things like wood and grass are a great, homegrown alternative. I’m going to talk with companies that manufacture those biofuels right here in Michigan.

This is Michigan’s future, and it can mean clean, sustainable energy for our nation and thousands of jobs in a thriving Michigan economy.

Michigan is the state that put the world on wheels, and with some hard work and a solid plan, we will be the state that revolutionizes the way we fuel our cars and power our homes. Green energy is leading to great jobs right here in Michigan.

Jennifer Granholm is Governor of the State of Michigan