LANSING - Speakers and attendees of the first public forum on energy policy Thursday largely agreed on the need to move toward more renewable power and energy efficiency, but were split on whether the state's current energy law was the way to get there. The goal of the seven forums planned between Thursday and April
LANSING - The Public Service Commission on Friday released its report on the implementation of the state's renewable energy standard and its cost effectiveness, showing the estimated renewable energy percentage is expected to reach 4.7 percent in 2012. The state's renewable energy standard is currently set at 10 percent by 2015, and the PSC has
LANSING - The Michigan League of Conservation Voters, which endorsed Governor Rick Snyder in 2010 in the Republican primary, gave Snyder a "C" grade for his first two years in office, according to a statement released Friday. The report card is based on Snyder's bill signings, vetoes, appointments, executive orders, permit approvals and denials during
ANN ARBOR - The city of Ann Arbor is planning to partner with Ann Arbor Public Schools and New York-based Wind Products Inc. on a potential $1.4 million wind energy project. The exact location hasn't been determined yet, but the idea is to install up to two wind turbines as demonstrations on school property, said
LANSING - More of the state would be reachable via trails and those trails would be better maintained under a plan released Thursday by the Department of Natural Resources for public comment. The five-year plan calls for extensions of and improvements to existing trails as well as creation of new trails to serve both non-motorized
DETROIT - DTE Energy Friday announced the completion of construction and the start of full commercial operation of the Thumb Wind Park in Huron and Sanilac counties, enough to power 25,000 homes. The Thumb Wind Park is a 110-megawatt project featuring 69, 1.6-megawatt GE wind turbines. "This brings DTE Energy's total wind investment to more
LANSING - The Natural Resources Trust Fund has approved $14.47 million to purchase new public lands and $9.07 million for development on existing lands. Of the funding, 17 local government purchases would share $11.96 million and 49 local units would share $7.82 million for development. The Department of Natural Resources would have $2.51 million for
ANN ARBOR - Navitas Systems LLC has purchased A123 Systems'government business, including all U.S. military contracts, for $2.3 million from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The closing on this transaction is expected in early 2013. A123 is a developer and manufacturer of advanced nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate batteries and systems
LANSING - A bill that would allow a governmental unit to enter into an energy performance contract to produce savings in utility or operation and maintenance costs cleared the Senate Energy and Technology Committee on Tuesday with few no changes as it came over from the House. The bill was reported 7-0 with Sen. Rick
LUDINGTON ? A $250 million wind farm was dedicated last week near Ludington that will generate up to 100 megawatts of energy from 56 wind-generation turbines. The Lake Winds Energy Park is Consumers Energy?s first wind park and is located in Riverton and Summit townships in Mason County. The utility?s investment in Lake Winds was