DETROIT - Oil-soaked plastic boom material used to soak up oil in the Gulf of Mexico is finding new life as auto parts in the all electric-powered Chevrolet Volt. General Motors has developed a method to convert an estimated 100 miles of the material off the Alabama and Louisiana coasts and keep it out of
DETROIT - Richard DiBartolomeo, Gov.-elect Rick Snyder's former campaign Finance Director, has joined the NextEnergy's Board of Directors. DiBartolomeo will serve as a Board Director and Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee. ?We are very pleased that Rick has joined us,? says NextEnergy Chairman Chris Rizik, who notes, ?his extensive experience will be highly
DETROIT ? Both Michigan Tech and the University of Detroit-Mercy are offering electric-drive vehicle courses that begin in January 2011. Michigan Tech Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicle Courses The Engineering Society of Detroit has partnered with Michigan Technological University to make ESD's headquarters a satellite location for distance learning students enrolled in Michigan Tech courses for
PLYMOUTH - It started with an idea on a boat in the middle of Lake Erie in 2008. Geoff Horst was finishing up his PhD research in ecology at Michigan State University and his dad was helping him collect water samples when the boat engine died. On the four-hour cruise back to land, he and
ROCHESTER ? Detroit EcoTuesday, a monthly networking event for professionals interested in green, clean and sustainable issues, is now hosted by the MI Green Team. Former host, Jeremy Eckhouse of element-e, said he wanted to be able to continue the quality and level of the programming, but did not have enough time to do so.
LANSING - A major development in wind energy production in the state, using what corporate executives said was a significant innovation in wind generation technology, was unveiled Tuesday by Governor Jennifer Granholm. The proposal will involve development of a large new wind farm on the Garden Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula with the power generated
GRAND RAPIDS - Consumers Energy, the Michigan Public Service Commission, the City of Grand Rapids and other project collaborators announced the launch of Consumers's SmartStreet program which will install 60 East Hills homes and businesses with electric smart meters in 2011. "Today's SmartStreet launch showcases Consumers Energy's commitment to partnering with our residential and business
TRAVERSE CITY - Dan Wyant, the new director of Michigan's Department of Environmental Quailty, offered an example of how he will run DEQ: farmland "filter strips." Farmers can protect water quality by putting vegetation buffer zones between their cropland and nearby streams, he said. These so-called filter strips prevent sediments and chemicals from washing into
DETROIT ? Michigan Hall at Cobo Center will be transformed into an interactive display showcase in January 2011 during the North American International Auto Show, highlighting the many ways that Michigan companies are building and creating eco-friendly communities and sustainable lifestyles. "Smarter Living In Michigan? will be the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s follow up in
LANSING - Energy programs implemented last year will save customers about a third more than projected, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Public Service Commission. The report, required under the legislation that adopted renewable energy portfolio standards, showed the state's utilities implemented $89 million in energy optimization programs in 2009, but those programs