Check it out! New post from the Pew Charitable Trusts on fuel efficiency for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. This could have important implications for our air quality, climate change, and public health issues such as asthma and autism in children. Let me know if you are interested in engaging on this critical issue! Posted by…
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150515/NEWS/150519887/consumers-energy-gets-ok-to-add-michigans-first-community-solar By JAY GREENE Consumers Energy Co. has received conditional approval to begin a 10 megawatt community solar program —Michigan’s first — by the state Public Service Commission. The commission’s approval of Consumers’ Solar Gardens program gives individual and business electric customers the opportunity to purchase subscriptions in 0.5 kilowatts blocks, which could cost $28 to…
In the coming year, nine of Michigan’s coal-fired power plants are scheduled to retire. That has environmentalists and renewable energy advocates cheering. And the state’s two major utilities, Consumer’s Energy and DTE, say they are ready to invest in a more sustainable energy future. But first, the companies say, Michigan has to return to a…
As part of the Michigan Sustainable Wine Feasibility Study, a group from Michigan’s wine industry, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and 5 Lakes Energy spent last week meeting with wine industry members in Oregon and Washington who have been actively involved in sustainability initiatives. We met with members, managers, and participants of…
http://5lakesenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Sustainability-Issues-and-Solutions-f.-.-.-Friday-April-17-2015-2.35.21-PM.mp4
Last week WineAmerica held the 2015 National Grape and Wine Policy Conference in Washington, DC. The conference consisted of visits to Capitol Hill to meet with Representatives and informational panels. The panel presentations covered major legislative issues related to the United States wine industry with presentations from members of Congress, their staff, industry members, and…
on April 08, 2015 at 2:37 PM, updated April 08, 2015 at 2:53 PM by Hannah Watts “There was a lot to like in his message,” Skip Pruss tells Kirk Heinze on Greening of the Great Lakes. “He set the bar high and indicated that Michigan should meet 30 to 40 percent of its future energy needs through renewable…
http://www.mlui.org/energy/news-views/news-views-articles/time-for-lansing-to-catch-not-ignore-the-new-tech-energy-wave.html#.VSU6EPnF-So Employing new grid technologies can weave together renewable and storage energy sources large and small, reducing the need to build additional old-fashioned,centralized, fossil-fueled plants. (Graphic: Powertown) Now that Governor Rick Snyder, state Senate and House Republicans, and Democrats in both chambers have each outlined their proposed next steps for Michigan’s energy future, it’s time…
http://interlochenpublicradio.org/post/wind-gets-cheaper-energy-building-turbines-wanes By PETER PAYETTE Michigan has a number of wind farms because the state basically made them mandatory in 2008. That was when lawmakers decided a certain amount of our electricity must come from renewable resources, and utilities built wind turbines to comply. Now, wind energy is, by some measurements, among the cheapest ways to…
The Obama administration is planning new fuel efficiency and carbon emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Later this summer, the EPA and NHTSA are expected to issue draft rules covering medium- and heavy-duty trucks and vans, vocational vehicles, and trailers sold after 2018. These new rules will save consumers and businesses money at the…