mcef

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">oct 2014 e’re all familiar with climate deniers — the politicians who proudly declare that 97 percent of climate scientists are wrong, and human carbon emissions aren’t driving up global temperatures to a potentially catastrophic degree. Opposing them are what Grist’s David Roberts termed “climate hawks” — people who think climate change is real, it’s extremely dangerous, and civilization’s use of fossil fuels is behind most of it.But in between, a strange twilight figure has risen for whom there is no term, but with whom climate activists will have to grapple if America is to do its part in keeping the world under 2°C of warming.Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R) probably represented this odd creature best back in August: “[Climate change is] a concern in terms of both its impact and the volatility it’s having on our weather patterns,” he said. But when reporters dug into whether humans are causing it, Snyder dodged: “I don’t get into how we got there because that tends to go off into a discussion that I don’t think has real value.”“Is that relevant or not?” Snyder continued. “No. We have an issue. We need to address it.”Similar sentiments have been expressed by other politicians. “I’m not qualified to answer that question,” Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (R) told Real Clear Politics in June when asked if humans are the main drivers of global warming. “Let me tell you what we’ve done, without getting to whether it’s human-caused or whatever that may be.”And the thing is, both governors have been doing things. Snyder has been a mixed bag, but in 2013 he kicked off a data gathering campaign that concluded Michigan’s renewable energy mandate could be massively increased. The state’s Republicans are working out how far to take that idea, and Snyder has acknowledged that coal use in Michigan will need to go down “very significantly.In Nevada, Sandoval signed a bill to scrap 800 megawatts of coal-fired electricity generation, and ramp up 350 megawatts of renewable energy development. He’s also stated that Nevada will be ready to meet the new federal regulations to cut carbon emissions from power plants.The more popular dodge in American politics usually runs in the other direction: acknowledge humanity’s role in exacerbating global warming, then hem and haw about whether anything needs to be done from a cost-benefit perspective. But Snyder and Sandoval have essentially chosen the mirror-opposite mix: ignore the cause, then move on to the policy — albeit modestly — anyway.With the world’s chances of keeping global warming under 2°C looking none too good, and with the U.S. still the primary failed leader in the international community, climate hawks need all the openings they can get.As the partisan reshuffling of the country’s voters collides with the public’s overall support for climate action and clean energy, the number of Snyders and Sandovals will probably only grow in the near future. As such, they provide a quixotic but very real opening — assuming climate hawks can overlook the refusal to say whom science blames for causing climate change.Looking For An ‘Out’ From Climate Change“You won’t convince a whole group of conservative right-leaning and right-wing people [on climate change],” admitted Larry Ward, the executive director of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum (MCEF). “It becomes your scientists versus our scientists.”But Ward thinks there are other ways to gain support for green energy without hanging the argument on climate change, and he and his fellow conservatives in the MCEF are trying to demonstrate that in Michigan. The MCEF formed in the last months of 2013, to give a voice to conservative support for renewable energy. Their polling found that 53 percent of Michigan voters “strongly” supported requiring the state’s utilities to move off coal and onto renewable sources of energy, while 25 percent “somewhat” supported it. When asked to design their own energy mix, Michiganders wanted 57 percent of their electricity to come from renewables. And the results cut across partisan and ideological lines: two-to-one, Republicans said they would favor a candidate who supported renewables and energy efficiency over coal.You won’t convince a whole group of conservative right-leaning and right-wing people [on climate change].The two big reasons Michiganders cited were health and pollution concerns. Among the country’s 329 oldest, dirtiest, and least economical coal units, Michigan boasts more than any other state, raining lead, mercury, zync, arsenic, cadmium, and other pollutants down onto the state.Thanks to the mercury, the state’s Department of Natural Resources issues an annual fish advisory: “If you’re a woman or a child in the state of Michigan, you should consume no more than two fish per month that are caught in the state or in the Great Lakes region,” said Nic Clark, the Michigan Director of Clean Water Action. He also pointed to Michigan’s Torch Lake, which is nowhere near the coal plants, but nonetheless sees enough mercury pollution to warrant Torch its own fish report.“Our farmers that tend to lean Republican are big supporters of preserving the land because that’s how they make their living,” added Greg Moore, the legislative director for Michigan state Senator Mike Nofs, who chairs that body’s Energy and Technology Committee. “Those who hunt and fish, it’s important to have clean air and clean water so those things that you hunt and fish for are there.”Coal’s pollutants also have well-documented links to all sorts of brain development problems, especially in children. The sulfur dioxides and nitrous oxides produced when coal or gasoline is burned create smog, aggravate asthma, and contribute to heart and lung disease. A 2010 assessment ranked coal’s health impacts in Michigan as the fifth-highest out of all fifty states: 678 deaths, 487 hospital admissions, and 1,097 heart attacks in 2010 alone. Another report found similar numbers. And in Michigan and around the country, these impacts fall disproportionately on the poor and minorities.“People have a sense that coal is old technology or dirty technology,” Ward said. “A lot of the mothers brought up the asthma effects and the particulates and the fact that it’s a pollutant — that if we can get away from that pollutant we probably should.”The health and environmental conservation concerns provide two big reasons — reasons with demonstrable bipartisan appeal — to get off coal and oil without climate change even needing a mention. In short, they give politicians an out.In The End, It’s PersonalBut why do politicians need the out at all?Kate Gordon is the vice president of Next Generation, and the executive director of a sweeping new assessment of climate change’s potential impact on the U.S. economy. That work put her in contact with business people, industry leaders and other stakeholders. And she noticed an interesting pattern in those conversations: People don’t like to blame themselves for climate change. “Because you start with that — human-caused climate change — then the conversation becomes about how we should all feel guilty about what we did in the past,” Gordon said. “And for people in agriculture and other energy-intensive industries, that’s basically saying everything you’ve built your life on, you were contributing to the problem.”
“Do you want to come into a conversation sort of telling people that their industry is the bad guy from the very beginning?”We tend to think of the positions taken in climate debates as matters of rational (if amoral) self-interest; i.e. the Koch brothers profit from fossil fuels, so of course they don’t want policy changes that cut fossil fuels use. But humans are not rational creatures. There’s a lot of pride and self-worth and raw emotions bound up in our jobs, especially when we own the business in question. Gordon’s experience suggests a lot of the opposition to acknowledging human-caused climate change comes from that place — people resisting the sense that they’re being devalued.“Why is it that when you say, ‘do you believe in man-made climate change?’ sometimes you’ll get some numbers, then you’ll say, ‘do you believe climate change is an issue for the country?’ you’ll get different numbers?” Gordon asked. “Anecdotally, I think part of it is this blame thing.”And because this sensitivity about who’s to blame for climate change will be especially acute amongst major business leaders and industry players, it’s not surprising politicians would try to dance around it. Mounting political science evidence also shows that politicians respond first and foremost to the wealthy and business interests, completely ignoring the common voter when their desires run counter to those of the powerful.So Where Do We Go From Here?Climate change is the ultimate “free rider” problem: any one individual has a natural incentive to not sacrifice and keep emitting carbon, because they assume everyone else will. And then no one emits any less carbon. So a response to climate change must be coordinated systemically, through things like a national carbon tax, a national cap-and-trade system, or the more limited regulations to cut emissions from power plants that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just laid down.It’s not obvious how a national consensus in favor of that kind of top-down policy could be built without tackling the question of humanity’s contributions to climate change head on. And it’s even less obvious that the kind of patchwork approach to pushing renewables — use the threat of climate change on politicians here, use the better health impacts and lower pollution of renewables on politicians there — will actually cut carbon emissions as deeply as they need to be cut.If you can convince someone that [climate change] actually exists, then what do you want? You want them to start using cleaner forms of energy.And on balance, Americans agree human beings are responsible for the bulk of global warming over the last century. Majorities also approve of renewable energy, regulations to cut carbon emissions, and other policy efforts to tackle climate change.But in a government like ours, where compromise is almost always necessary to pass anything at the state or national level, the split between Republicans and Democrats is where the rubber meets the road. Nationally, the parties have become increasingly polarized over the last few decades, as the country’s demographics have reshuffled.This process is also playing out on a smaller-scale, state-by-state level: “We’ve become more like other states than maybe in the past,” said Matt Grossman, a political scientist at Michigan State. “Our Republicans look more like Republicans from other areas and Democrats do, as well. Even though historically there were differences because there was a conservative Democratic constituency and then there was also a liberal Republican constituency up around the Trevor City area.”Michigan isn’t the only state beset by these forces, either. Like Nevada and a small swath of other states — Colorado, Florida, Virginia, Ohio — Michigan is something of a “purple state.” The same 2010 Republican wave that put Snyder in office also put the state legislature solidly in GOP hands. Yet Michigan voters went for Barack Obama by 9.5 percentage points in 2012.Nevada is even more mixed, going for Obama by 6.6 percentage points in 2012, with a national delegation and a state legislature modestly tilted towards the Democrats.In this weird mix, the specific question of whether human beings are causing climate change now arguably divides Democrats and Republicans more than any question save whether you approve of President Obama’s performance. Because of the partisan cross-currents they’re stuck in, and because they’ll probably be important in any national effort to push green energy policies forward, those states are likely to be places where the health-and-conservation “out” would be most useful.“If you can convince someone that [climate change] actually exists, then what do you want?” Ward asked. “You want them to start using cleaner forms of energy.”“Well, can’t we just start using cleaner forms of energy?”<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Some Republicans in states like <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2015/01/27/war-on-solar-energy-efficiency/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">Indiana</a>, <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2015/01/14/ohio-renewable-energy-freeze/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">Ohio</a>, <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2015/02/06/war-on-renewables-west-virginia/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">West Virginia</a> and <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/26/florida-ends-solar-incentive/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">Florida</a> have been waging a war on solar, wind and other <a href="http://ecowatch.com/business/renewables/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">renewables</a>, despite the fact that a <a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/press/release/2015/01/15/104581/release-cap-poll-finds-fossil-fuel-interests-dominate-agenda-of-new-congress-but-americans-favor-renewable-energy-environmental-protections/" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">strong majority of Americans</a>support renewable energy. But conservatives are getting a bad rap from a few, vocal <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2015/03/13/climate-change-fantasy-tournament/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">fossil-fuel-funded climate deniers</a>, so says a group called <a href="http://www.micef.org/#who" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">Michigan Conservative Energy Forum</a>. Their stance: We need to increase our commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency.<figure id="attachment_359879" aria-labelledby="figcaption_attachment_359879" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 3px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; max-width: 660px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238);">[nice green logo]</figure><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The group’s executive director, Larry Ward, is a longtime Republican activist and conservative leader in Michigan. “Conservatives have solutions to our energy challenges, and contributions to make to the policy debate,” says Ward. “It’s time that conservatives come to the table, make their voices heard and lead the way.”<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Earlier this week, the group <a href="http://www.micef.org/#why" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">released a video</a> in which prominent state Republicans discuss the need for their party to be involved in renewable energy discussions. In the video, State Sen. Tom Casperson says, “The Republicans and conservatives are not out to destroy the planet. We want to protect the planet like anybody else. Our families live here and work here as well.”<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">“Conservatives take a look at the long view: How do we sustain our economy, how do we clean up our energy portfolio and secure longterm security for our citizens,” says Rob Sisson, executive director of <a href="http://conservamerica.org/" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">ConservAmerica</a>, in the video. ConservAmerica’s mission is to “educate the public and elected officials on conservative approaches to today’s environmental, energy and conservation challenges.”<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Conservative groups like these want it to be known that not all conservatives are “<a href="http://ecowatch.com/2015/03/17/obama-interview-vice-shane-smith/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">shills for the oil industry</a>,” as Obama recently said of those members of Congress—notably, <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/06/inhofe-senate-environment-committee/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">James Inhofe</a>and <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2014/05/12/marco-rubio-climate-change/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">Marco Rubio</a>—who <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/04/climate-deniers-follow-money/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">refuse to accept the science</a> on <a href="http://ecowatch.com/climate-change-news/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">climate change</a>.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Texas’s energy policy is a great example of what groups like the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum call an “all of the above” approach, which recognizes the need to diversify the country’s energy portfolio to include more renewable energy. The lone star state is <a href="http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/26/texas-oil-spill-to-get-worse-for-wildlife/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">known for its oil and gas wells</a>, but it’s also the leading state for renewable energy and the <a href="http://earthjustice.org/features/map-coming-clean-state-of-u-s-energy" target="_blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">top producer of wind energy</a> in the country. One city outside of Austin, Texas even <a href="https://ecowatch.com/2015/03/20/georgetown-texas-yes-renewables/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(67, 146, 65); transition: color 0.2s linear; -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; background: transparent;">has plans to go 100 percent renewable</a> in the next two years.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">In the end, everyone wants what’s best for the kids. “I want my kids to have a secure future … I think a good energy policy is a foundation for that in any economy,” says Ed Rivet of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum Leadership Council.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Watch the video here:<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">=<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">bshttp://www.micef.org/about-mcef/LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Larry Ward
Executive Director
Larry Ward’s has been a long time Republican activist and conservative leader in Michigan. 
Larry’s campaign consulting firm, Republican Advisory Services, successfully ran the campaign for current Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson.  From 2007-2010, Larry served as the Political Director of the Michigan Republican Party under GOP Chairmen Saul Anuzis and Ron Weiser.  He has a long history of grassroots GOP activism, first as a candidate for State Representative in 2002, followed by serving as the Ingham County Republican Party Chairman in 2004. Larry served as a Deputy Coalitions Director for the DeVos for Governor Campaign in 2008, and served as the 8th District Chairman for U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers from 2006-2009.
Larry's dedication to political activism is matched only by his commitment to  community, dedicating his time and energies as Past President to the Williamston Sunrise Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow), and currently serving in his 12th year as Vice President of the Williamston Community School’s Board of Education.  In 2012, Governor Rick Snyder appointed Larry to serve on the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System Board (MPSERS).
Larry was raised in Plymouth, Michigan and is a graduate of Western Michigan University. He currently lives in Williamston, Michigan, with his wife, Karen, and their three sons; Jacob (21), Aaron (19), and Joshua (16).
“For too long, we have allowed the debate on energy policy to be dominated by voices on the Left.  But energy policy impacts every Michigander and every American – and Conservatives have solutions to our energy challenges, and contributions to make to the policy debate.  It’s time that Conservatives come to the table, make their voices heard, and lead the way.” 
Keith den Hollander
Chairman Christian Coalition of Michigan
Over the years, Keith has held many roles in Republican politics.  He has served on the Kent & Calhoun County Republican Executive Committees, the Second & Third Congressional District Republican Committees, and he is currently a member of the Michigan Republican Party State Committee.  He was the Kent County Bush-Cheney ’04 Chair and has served on other Presidential Campaign Steering Committees.  He has also served as an Ambassador for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Energy Policy affects our lives in many ways, from those in poverty, who struggle to afford the costs, to those who leave their families to fight overseas and protect our energy interests. I am proud to stand with the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum as we work to provide education on the critical energy issues that will shape the future of our state and our nation.”
Keith and his wife Rebecca live in Marshall with their three sons.  Keith is a founding member of the Leadership Council of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum
Anna Mouser
Vice Chair Grand Traverse County Republican Party 
A resident of Grand Traverse County since 2000, Anna is a lifelong Republican and became very active in Republican politics in 2004.  She has been a member of the Grand Traverse County Republican Party Executive Committee for several years and was elected Vice Chair in 2010. She was elected to the Chairman’s position in 2011 and won re-election to that position in 2012.  Anna also serves as Co-Chair of the Michigan Republican Party’s County Chair Advisory Committee.  
Anna has worked for several years in customer service and has experience in both retail and banking.  Currently, she works for an agency that focuses on workforce development.  She is a student at Northwestern Michigan College studying Business Administration and will be graduating this May.
“I don’t have children, but I’m very concerned about future generations.  I want to make sure we reduce pollution and make sure that they can enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes.  Transitioning Michigan away from our heavy reliance on coal to a genuine ‘All of the Above’ energy strategy that incorporates responsible use of Michigan’s vast natural resources including hydro, biomass, wind and solar is not only good for Michigan’s economy, but it’s good for the future of our kids.” 
Anna is a founding member of the Leadership Council of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum.
Ed Rivet
Conservative Political Activist
Ed has served as a  political activist in Lansing since 1988.  He has more than 25 years of experience in government affairs and holds a Master’s Degree in Policy Analysis and Evaluation from Michigan State University.  
Ed is passionate about his belief that conservatives need to lead the energy policy discussion.  
“Improving the quality of life for all Michiganders, especially those among us in the greatest need of protection – our children and seniors – is very important to me and my core beliefs.
 “Sound energy policy is rooted in conservative values like economic growth, strong national security and healthy families. I am honored to serve on the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum Leadership Council because it’s a tremendous opportunity for conservatives to show the nation that it’s possible to create jobs, stimulate our economy, and improve public health through responsible expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
Ed joined the MCEF Leadership Council in February of 2014.
Gabriel Leaf
ChairmanUniversity of Michigan College Republicans
Gabriel Leaf was born and raised in Elk Rapids Michigan and is a Senior at the University of Michigan where he is studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and pursuing a minor in Latino Studies.  
Gabe is the Chairman of the U of M College Republicans and is a member of the U of M Competitive Alpine Ski Team. He is also a student researcher, participating in research exploring the long-term affects of post-traumatic stress disorder and other cognitive declines at the Veterans Hospital in Ann Arbor.  Long term, Gabe hopes to enroll in medical school and become a pediatric surgeon.  
“Issues of energy and the environment are vital to my generation and they are important issues for engaging younger voters.   As I work with college students, they are surprised to find out that I’m a conservative while also being passionate about both preserving our environment and growing our economy.   Protecting our environment, diversifying our energy portfolio, and growing our economy aren’t antithetical propositions – they work hand in hand.  This is why I’m proud to join the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum – Conservatives talking about a sound ‘All of the Above’ approach to energy policy is exactly what we need.” 
Gabe joined the MCEF Leadership Council in September 2014.  
Katie O’Connell
Program Director
Katie grew up in southwest Michigan, steeped in conservative roots. As a result, Katie already has a strong political and campaign resume.  
Katie served as Field Director for Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) during his successful 2012 re-election campaign, and was the Campaign Manager for GOP state Senator Margaret O’Brien’s successful 2014 campaign.  She also volunteered for the Romney for President (2012) campaign, and Governor Snyder’s successful 2014 re-election bid.  Katie tutors high school students in Economics, Math and English.  
Katie graduated from Michigan Technological University with a B.S. in Economics.  Her classes in environmental economics enticed her to explore environmental and energy policy and its impact on economic growth.  
“Energy technology is growing at an exponential rate. We need to make sure that our policies are keeping pace. I’m excited to have this historic opportunity to help bring common-sense, conservative solutions to the forefront of Michigan's energy policy debate."
Hank Fuhs
Secretary Michigan Republican State Committee
A retired United States Air Force/Air National Guard Lieutenant Colonel, Hank exemplifies what it means to serve. Hank served his country for more than 31 years in the US Armed Forces and he continues to make a difference today in numerous capacities.  Hank is a member of the Kent County Republican Party, the Third District Republican Committee, and is a local leader on conservative issues.  Today however, Hank is best known as the Secretary of the Michigan Republican State Committee – a volunteer position to which he has been elected since 1982.  
Hank is also a small business owner, serving as the President of Fuhs Brothers, specializing in pharmaceutical, specialty medical services, and retail sales.
“Republicans have long been leaders on energy policy -- from Teddy Roosevelt to Gerald Ford to Ronald Reagan.  Energy security is national security. The less reliant we are on foreign nations for our energy production, the safer our nation will be. It’s time for Republicans to again lead on energy policy.”
Hank is a founding member of the Leadership Council of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum.  
Kelly Mitchell
Out-Reach Vice Chair Michigan Republican State Committee

Kelly Mitchell has lived in Michigan her entire life, growing up in rural Thetford Township. Her activism in Republican advocacy began as a Young Republican. Having been a resident in Genesee and Kent Counties at different stages, she served in multiple County and District level positions.
In 2012, Kelly was elected to the Electoral College as one of 16 statutory delegates to be seated in the Electoral College if the people of Michigan favored the Republican Candidate, Mitt Romney. She is a former Legislative Intern for former State Representative Marty Knollenberg, State Committee Member, Precinct Delegate, 3rd District Committee Member, and Appointed to the RNC Michigan Black Advisory Council. She has served on the Women for Mitt Coalition, Women for Ruth Johnson, and Women for Terri Land for Senate campaigns. She is also a member of the Michigan Conservative Energy Leadership Council and Appointed to the Kent County Board of Commission Solid Waste Management.
Kelly is a 2013 graduate of the Michigan Excellence in Public Service Series and awarded the MRP Grassroots Leadership Award in 2015. She has an Associate's Degree in Applied Science and a Bachelor's Degree in Business.
“Active engagement is critical to advance change.  This is why I was so excited to join MCEF.  The Michigan Conservative Energy Forum exists to engage Conservatives on an issue where we have been disengaged for too long.  I am thrilled to be a part of an organization that is taking an active leadership role on these issues.” 
Kelly is a founding member of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum’s Leadership Council.  She is married with one adult daughter and resides in Grand Rapids where she is a Certified Tourism Ambassador.  She is employed as a Sales Executive for a Blueprint Precision Tooling Company in Walker, MI.
Mark E. Huizenga
Mayor, City of WalkerPartner, Key Green Solutions
Mark is a highly-motivated, results-driven professional with over 15 years of proven management consulting expertise.  Mark has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Calvin College and a Master’s Degree in Management from Aquinas College.  Mark is a Board Certified Medical Practice Executive with the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE).  His consulting firm, www.huizenga-consulting.com provides consulting services across the United States.  He has consistently been a high performer: holding senior management roles with Spectrum Health, Health Development International, ProCare Systems as well as other health care organizations.  Mark is an adjunct instructor at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids Michigan.  Mark is also the managing partner for Key Green Solutions, LLC a sustainability management software company based in Grand Rapids.  Key Green Solutions provides a comprehensive energy, waste, water, food and carbon footprint calculator.  Key Green software is being used by hospitals in 17 states, one province and covers 55 million sq ft.  Key Green is rapidly being recognized as the premier sustainability management software suite for hospital systems across the United States.
Mark has developed deep industry experience in several categories including:
Strategic Planning Profitability, Operational & Efficiency AnalysisDevelopment of Ambulatory Infusion CentersPharmaceutical advisement for new biologic drugs and their delivery cycleMark provides operational and efficiency work to medical practices, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.  Mark serves on various boards including Health Development International and is an advisor to several medical practice boards.  Mark has been a guest lecturer in Central America, Eastern Europe, South East Asia and the United States.
Mark was elected the Mayor of the City of Walker in November 2013.  Previously Mark was elected as a commissioner for the City of Walker, and served as a Planning Commissioner for 8 years.
“An ‘All of the Above’ approach to energy policy is an important part of ensuring Michigan’s future.  Whether we’re looking at expanding our use of renewable resources for energy production or working to reduce energy waste, ‘All of the Above’ just makes sense.”
 Mark is a founding member of the MCEF Leadership Council.  
Reka Holley
Vice ChairBarry County
Born and raised in Hastings, MI, Reka has a history of Conservative community and political involvement including serving as an Evangelical Field Director for the Republican National Committee (2004), Vice Chair of the Barry County Republican Party (2005 – 2006), Legislative Assistant for State Representative Bill Caul (R- Mt. Pleasant), Regional Coalitions Director on the DeVos for Governor Campaign (2005-2006), and Michigan Operations Manager on Romney for President (2007).  Reka also worked as a Summer Associate at the American Center for Law and Justice in Virginia Beach, VA (2008) and is currently serving as a Member of the School Board at Barry County Christian School in Hastings, MI – a position she was honored to assume 13 years after graduating from BCCS.  She has also been privileged to volunteer with the Student Statesmanship Institute during their summer programs serving both as a lobbyist for the mock-legislature and as a coach for the Mock Trial and Moot Court tracks.    
“A true ‘All of the Above’ approach to energy just makes sense – and it’s something people of my generation and younger consider a no-brainer.  The technology exists – it’s time to start talking about how best to utilize it and to move the government out of the way so that entrepreneurs can start putting this exciting technology to work for us.” 
Reka holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science from Cornerstone University (2007), a Master of Arts in Government from the Robertson School of Government at Regent University (2012), and a Juris Doctor from Regent Law School, Regent University (2010).  She is a licensed attorney and is a member of the Michigan Bar Association.   
Reka joined MCEF in February 2014.  She enjoys spending time with her family and is an avid ballroom dancer.  <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2000007629395px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">