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MARQUETTE -- The U.S. is a world leader in sustainable energy, and it seems that the Upper Peninsula is getting on board with green initiatives.

Industry experts explained at an event about Renewable Energy at NMU today how renewable energy can and is improving Michigan's economy by creating jobs and saving you money.

Cliffs Natural Resources opened its new biomass production company, RenewaFUEL, in an effort to create sustainable alternatives to coal in the form of biomass pellets.

"It's for the environment, it's what we need to do to reduce the greenhouse gases to improve the environment," says Jack Bronson, General Manager of RenewaFUEL.

But the environment wasn't the only thing reaping the benefits of RenewaFUEL, 25 permanent jobs were created at the KI Sawyer site.  In addition to the new hires, RenewaFUEL plans to help U.P. farmers and loggers by using their raw materials to produce the pellets.

This is one example of how renewable energy can improve the economy.

Also at today's program at NMU, John Brock, who owns a company called Healing Winds Alternative Energy Sources, spoke on the importance of wind and solar energy and how it can save residents money.

He says he relies entirely on solar panels for his energy needs.

"I don't have to pay for that energy I'm creating on my own.  I'm very conservative with what I use, I'm conservation minded, I run my home accordingly to what I create, I don't use a lot more than I create," says Brock.

Brock's company installs the panels.  He says that on average, the solar panels save his customers $60 to $140 a month, and he's looking forward to seeing a lot more panels in the U.P.