For four years, I lived beside Lake Superior in Marquette — one of the most pristine areas in our state. Except for one thing — a big coal plant down the street from my house that leaked a constant stream of black ugliness out over the lake 24 hours a day and obstructing my tranquility.

On Nov. 6, there will be an amendment on the ballot that will require energy companies to get 25 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2025, and corporate America already has its propaganda machine up and running.

Of course, Big Energy would oppose this amendment because it will eat into its profits as it is forced to develop these new sources.

The Midwest Energy Cooperative is already claiming this improvement will triple or quadruple the average consumer’s energy bills in an attempt to foster opposition by hitting families in their pocketbook.

But in other states where they have similar standards, there has been very little increase and in some cases, utility bills have actually decreased.

A recent report by the MSU Land Policy Institute states that Michigan will gain $10.3 billion in new investments and add as many as 94,000 new jobs, including manufacturing jobs to build these new industries. Michigan desperately needs these employment opportunities and it will help our state become a leader in the 21st century for these new industries.

One critic stated that many who live along the lake do not want to look out their window and have their view obstructed by wind turbines, but it is my understanding that most will be far offshore and not even visible.

For me, when I see wind turbines, I see progress. I see a clever society coming up with ways to utilize the natural resources of its planet without causing harm to its environment.

When I looked out my window and saw that smokestack, all I saw was a time limit that was running out and a society that was willing to destroy itself to make a buck.

Let’s support the 25 by 2025 Amendment before it’s too late.