WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Patent and Trademark Office will pilot a program to accelerate the examination of certain "green" technology patent applications, Secretary Gary Locke announced on Monday. The new initiative will accelerate the development and deployment of green technology, create green jobs, and promote U.S. competitiveness in this vital sector. "American competitiveness
LANSING - The Michigan Senate's attempt to bar the state from considering electric capacity needs during the air permit approval process for new power plants was rejected by the House on Friday. The legislation (HB 5220 ) was one of the few bills the House took up during the unusual Friday session as lawmakers worked
WASHINGTON DC - A year ago, everybody in green tech wondered where they'd get money to survive the financial crisis. The answer for many was Washington. The change with the Obama administration's Department of Energy has been nothing short of dramatic, CNET News.Com reported. Tens of billions of dollars in grants and loans have started
MIDLAND - Advanced Battery Concepts is a company with an exciting new power play. The company has developed a proprietary battery electrode technology, branded GreenSeal, which is anticipated to enhance lead acid battery power tenfold or nearly double the energy, without additional material costs. According to company founder and CEO, Ed Shaffer, ?GreenSeal technology has
LANSING - Low-income customers of Consumers Energy would have more time to repay back utility bills and would not have power disconnected in summer as well as winter under a program approved Tuesday by the Public Service Commission. The new shut-off protection plan requires applicants to sign up for 18 months, but also then provides
ANN ARBOR - Meadowlark Builders and Architectural Resource have been recognized for their collaboration on green building projects by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor. Both companies were recently presented with the Built Green Achievement Award at the annual Pillar Awards, which are presented to members in recognition of their service and
LANSING - DTE Energy's coal-fired plant in Monroe emits the seventh-most carbon dioxide of any power plant in the nation, according to a study prepared by a group urging approval of a new federal law regulating greenhouse gases. The plant, which came online in the early 1970s, is an example of why the nation needs
DETROIT - Clean Emissions Fluids, a Wayne State University on TechTown Tenant, has come up with a revolutionary way to deliver biofuels of many kinds to gasoline service stations. To listen, click on MITechNews.JenesysGroup.Com a>>
LANSING - Clark Gerstacker of Midland was reelected President of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, the trade and lobbying arm of the Michigan Corn Growers Association. Gerstacker also serves on the executive committee. Other on that committee include: Brian Kreps of Temperance serves as Vice President Mark Kies of Allen serves as Treasurer Richard
LANSING - Though they can implement the rate hikes without initial approval, the Michigan Public Service Commission is ordering more utilities to say exactly how much they plan to hike rates. The commission had already ordered Consumers Energy and DTE Energy affiliates to disclose planned rate hikes when it could not complete their rate cases