WASHINGTON, D.C. - The first half of 2012 set the record for the highest-ever fuel efficiency for new passenger vehicles entering the U.S. market, according to industry analysts Baum & Associates. The country reached this record mile per gallon (MPG) level without relying on higher small car sales ? a significant shift from a pattern
KALAMAZOO - mophie, which has developed its portable power pack for the iPhone, announced the exciting expansion of its facilities to Western Michigan University's innovative business park. The company will build a 30,000-square-foot facility to house its rapidly increasing North American distribution functions. "mophie's foundational roots are in Michigan, so the opportunity to have a
ANN ARBOR - Despite being challenged by bad weather conditions along the way, the University of Michigan Solar Car Team has won the 2012 American Solar Challenge with their car Quantum for a fourth consecutive American title ? and broken the current national record. The 8-day, biennial 1,650-mile competition for solar-powered vehicles started in Rochester,
JACKSON - Consumers Energy estimates that more than 2,300 of its customers have sought approximately $1 million as victims of a nationwide utility bill payment scam that surfaced in Michigan earlier this month. However, there is no such money available from the federal government and customers may believe they have paid their bills when in
DEARBORN - The new Ford C-MAX Energi is expected to achieve more than 20 miles of electric-only range ? nearly double the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid ? and a 550-mile overall range to become the first hybrid vehicle ever that can be driven from Sacramento to San Diego on a single tank of gas and
CANTON TOWNSHIP ? Home furnishings retailer Idea on Tuesday went green, plugging in its 122,200 square foot photovoltaic array at its Canton Township store. The PV array consists of a 977.6-kW system, built with 4,160 panels and will produce approximately 1.1 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity a year, the equivalent of reducing 769 tons of
GRAND RAPIDS ? The City of Grand Rapids took another step towards its goal of having all of its energy needs supplied by renewable sources by 2020 with the ceremonial launch of 429 solar panels atop the city's water system administration center roof, what Mayor George Heartwell described as the ?next step in our energy
ALLEN PARK ? A group of investors that includes Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates has invested $32.5 million in a Series C round in EcoMotors International, which is developing an efficient, clean, lightweight engine that will be used in hybrids, extended range EVs, as well as cars and light trucks. The round was led by Braemar
DETROIT - The submission deadline for nominations for the fourth annual Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Awards is July 20. The Governor?s Awards recognize advances that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture, or use, or that promote activities which support or implement those technologies and efforts. Awards are open to individuals, groups,
ROCHESTER - MI Green Team estimated the attendance at its Green Living Festival June 22-24 at about 25,000, half of the 50,000 festival-goers it had planned for. The estimate was used to calculate and offset the event's carbon footprint, including 75,000 pounds of C02 generated by an estimated 10,000 cars averaging two passengers and a