We need to bring green manufacturing jobs to Michigan, and we need to do it as soon as possible. One way to do this is by investing in technology that would reduce diesel pollution.

There are only 12 companies in the United States that produce “verified” technology to retrofit diesel vehicles. Until recently, three of those companies were in Michigan. One company recently left the state because we offered no incentives for them to stay, but two still remain.

For every $1 billion invested in reducing diesel pollution, we can create 19,000 jobs and these jobs should be grown here in Michigan. That is why it is most inconvenient that we didn’t take the opportunity to reduce harmful diesel pollution and offer incentives to companies to keep clean energy jobs here in Michigan.

Our state lawmakers need to act now to reduce diesel pollution and bring green manufacturing jobs to Michigan.

Kurt Naszradi Ann Arbor