LANSING – The Michigan House today passed a plan sponsored by State Representative Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods) to make companies involved in developing safer and greener ways of making and everyday products eligible for tax credits and other economic development tools. The plan now moves to the Senate for approval.
"Green chemistry is not just about clean and safe environments for our families, it is an opportunity for our state to be at the forefront of a burgeoning technology," Lipton said. "That is why we need to promote Michigan as a center of innovation in the technologies of the future. By offering incentives to companies that use green chemistry technology, I hope it will help diversify our economy and help create good-paying jobs."
The plan to promote "green chemistry" enables the 21st Century Jobs Fund, Michigan Strategic Fund and Michigan Economic Growth Authority to give tax breaks to companies engaged in the design of chemical products or processes that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances. The plan also provides tax incentives to companies involved in the development of safer bio-based chemicals and materials.
Green chemistry examines the whole process of how everyday products are manufactured, used, and their effects on people and the environment. It involves replacing the use of hazardous processes and materials with nontoxic and benign processes and materials. This includes, redesigning hazardous substances so they retain their effectiveness while reducing or removing any toxicity. Examples of green chemistry include VOC-free paints and home cleaners that utilize enzymes instead of solvents.
"Michigan has an opportunity to be a world leader in green chemistry," Lipton said. "It is important that we do what we can to build on this opportunity, and this plan will help do that. I strongly urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this common-sense plan that will help get our workers back on the job and make Michigan a great place to live, work and do business."