In the upcoming November 6th election, Proposal 3 has the power to greatly impact Michigan's economy and environment. This proposal is commonly referred to as "25x25" and would require that by 2025 at least 25% of every electricity provider's annual retail electricity sales in Michigan be derived from clean renewable energy sources. To properly understand the proposal it is important to know that renewable resources are being defined as sources that replenish in a human lifespan-not a geological time span. Thus, natural gas is not defined as a natural resource. In addition, all energy used to satisfy the requirement must be generated in Michigan. Power would be generated by wind, solar, and hydroelectric technologies. The energy would be mostly derived from wind power, but there is dispute about both how many turbines will be needed and how capable Michigan is to produce wind energy.

In 2008, Michigan passed a Renewable Portfolio Standard in hopes that it will help the State make major advances in renewable energy development over the next decade. This requires electric utilities to generate at least ten percent of their energy from renewable sources or negotiate tradable renewable energy certificates by 2015. In order to accomplish this, research is going to be needed to find new sources of energy. One source that has been recently proposed and can be easily accessed is wind energy. With the development of wind energy, Michigan has the capability to create jobs, help boost the economy and become the leader in renewable energy.

The foundation of communities and their development is often attributed to the building sector as it provides a significant proportion of industrial activities, jobs, and residence to countless numbers of inhabitants, businesses, companies, and industries. The energy consumed in operating buildings accounts for 40% of all energy consumption and 72% of electricity consumption in developed countries. Currently, the construction and infrastructural design of the building sector is receiving more attention as the push for energy efficiency and environmentally friendly methods are gaining more precedence. Sustainable "green" buildings are buildings designed to meet and responsibly manage energy, resource, and environmental concerns from its foundation onwards. They focus on optimal resource efficiency: the design, construction, maintenance, operation and demolition of these buildings are completely engineered to mitigate energy waste. Through these requirements, energy sustainable buildings can cut energy waste in half. In recent years, as the buildings become more popular and are being ingrained into standard expectations, the issue of indoor health in these buildings vs. the outdoor health continues to grow.

At first glance, the idea behind biofuels appears to be an ingenious solution to meeting growing energy demands. The process seems fairly simple - "plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air, are turned into fuel, which is then converted back into carbon dioxide by cars and planes. It's a closed carbon cycle: the energy for plant growth comes from sunlight." (Inderwildi & King, 2009) However, this already oversimplified explanation ignores a variety of concerns that policymakers must examine with regard to the biofuel industry. Biofuel production not only would impact Michigan's economy, but research suggests that there are profound environmental and social implications surrounding the industry.