Blog

UPDATE: As of July 1, 2014, we will no longer be enrolling new systems into the REC Aggregation Program.   

On Friday 2/7, 5 Lakes Energy’s Jamie Scripps will moderate an afternoon panel on “Citizen Action” at the Third Annual “Women & Environment Symposium” to be held at the Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The panel will include acclaimed ecologist and author Dr. Sandra Steingraber, State Representative Winnie Brinks, Kent County Commissioner Candace Chivis, …

Women & Environment Symposium – Friday, Feb. 7 Read More »

A conversation with energetic Skip Pruss Patrick Sullivan – December 30th, 2013   Published in the Northern Express at:  http://www.northernexpress.com/michigan/article-6199-our-renewable-future.html Stanley “Skip” Pruss is an advocate of renewable energy with an impressive résumé — he served as director of the Department of Environmental Quality under Gov. Granholm. Later, in her administration, Pruss was director of …

Our Renewable Energy Future Read More »

We are accepting new enrollments into our REC Aggregation Program through Friday, November 8. NEW OPPORTUNITY: We will accept applications from owners of small wind systems. As before, we will continue to accept applications from owners of solar systems. If you are a solar developer, please contact us for a special opportunity tailored to your …

Accepting New REC Aggregation Enrollments – Deadline Nov. 8 Read More »

It was observed by MPSC staff in 2012 that small renewable system owners, especially those not participating in a major utility program, were not yet gaining access to the Renewable Energy Credit (REC) market in Michigan.  At that time, and after consultation with the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA), MPSC staff encouraged 5 Lakes …

5LE REC Aggregation Update – Recent Transactions and Outlook Read More »

It is getting late on a Labor Day Friday but I wanted to chime in before I check out on What We Are Reading this week at 5 Lakes Energy: Here is a great Friday blog by Advanced Energy Economy on the coming challenges to the traditional utility model as solar decreases in cost. http://blog.aee.net/news-utilities–are-they-dinosaurs-telecoms-or-in-transition?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=10140526&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_1bB17ewITrWLps-6o0BFZGHthEPEZTqJjvDgi73oCCCNsWh-5wIZ5von8cfLavwwvPyHI59bgO0my5vGdKL8VrxXu4Q&_hsmi=10140526 …

What We Are Reading this Week – Changing Utility Models Plus Solar Equals Comments from FERC Chair Wellinghoff Read More »

Wind is the largest portion of Michigan’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).  Our current RPS (Public Act 295 of 2008) was passed in 2008 by a bi-partisan legislature and established a requirement that Michigan investor owned utilities, cooperatives, and municipal utilities generate 10% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015. Michigan’s investor owned utilities are …

Continually Decreasing Cost of Wind Falls Lower Read More »

The United States stands at a crossroads with regards to its energy future. New technologies, new policy mechanisms, new sources of energy, and outmoded delivery systems, as well as the increasing awareness of the need for reliable, affordable and cleaner energy, are posing additional challenges for state energy infrastructures. To help chart this future, six …

Disruptive Challenges in the Michigan Energy Market Read More »

The clean energy sector is always fast-moving but lately it seems like the changes are lightening paced.  Below is a sample of the latest reports and discussions we are following at 5LE: DOE recently released a study reviewing how Climate Change and Extreme Weather events will challenge the energy sector highlighting vulnerabilities. http://energy.gov/downloads/us-energy-sector-vulnerabilities-climate-change-and-extreme-weather Greentech Media …

What we are reading this week at 5 Lakes – Energy Sector Vulnerabilities to Climate Change, Intelligent Energy Efficiency, and more Read More »