LANSING - Michigan local governments would be able to make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings without incurring debt under legislation under consideration in the Michigan House Local Government Committee. The bills (HB 4990, HB 4991, HB 4992, HB 4993 and HB 4994) would allow counties, cities, villages and townships to enter lease-purchase agreements for the energy upgrades. Because the
LANSING - The Michigan Public Service Commission ordered its staff Tuesday to begin examining what public utilities are required to pay certain power generators under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. Consumers Energy and DTE Energy both have contracts with qualified facilities under the act, the first of which expire at the end
LANSING — The Michigan Agency for Energy has announced the launch of its Student Internship Program and is now accepting proposals for student help on energy-saving projects. The program offers technical assistance in energy efficiency work for manufacturing companies and agribusinesses. The students invovled get real-world work experience. Michigan-based manufacturing industries or agribusinesses that employ
LANSING - New rules proposed by the Department of Environmental Quality would deregulate too many additional chemicals, the Michigan Environmental Council said on releasing its comments on the proposal. The DEQ announced Monday that it had opened the public comment period on the rules (ORR 2014-153 and 2014-154). The changes cover public notice and hearing provisions as well
LANSING - The Michigan Agency for Energy released its energy appraisal for the upcoming winter on Wednesday, expecting residents to save big on their heating bills "thanks to lower fuel prices and predicted warmer-than-normal temperatures," the agency said. Michigan's energy market is also expected to have adequate reserves and lower prices, the agency said in a
LANSING - Michigan is the 14th most energy efficient state in the nation, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy said in its annual scorecard released Wednesday. Michigan received 23.5 points out of a possible 50 points in the scorecard. Among the highlights the group noted were the loan programs for small businesses for pollution prevention
HOLLAND - The Holland plant of Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem says it has doubled its workforce to more than 300 employees since its first commercial shipments of automotive batteries 23 months ago. LG Chem and General Motors also announced this week a partnership across multiple GM lines for hybrid and electric vehicles. “The conversation
WASHINGTON DC - With more than 1,600 megawatts of new wind capacity installed during the third quarter of 2015, and nearly 3,600 MW installed in all of 2015, wind power continues to gain strength. The release of the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) U.S. Wind Industry Third Quarter 2015 Market Report today shows the market
GRAND RAPIDS - West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will celebrate sustainability in West Michigan at the Second Annual Triple Bottom Line Bash November 5 at New Vintage Place. Honor the 2015 Sustainable Business Hall of Fame: Renae Hesselink, David Rinard, Rich Vanderveen and Tom Newhouse. Celebrate with the nominees for the 2015 Sustainable Business of the
ANN ARBOR - For chemists, engineers, industry executives, educators, students, entrepreneurs, decision makers, policymakers, and anyone interested in innovation and sustainability in Michigan, the GreenUp Michigan conference is an opportunity to hear from leading experts and share your solutions through green chemistry and engineering. Attendees will receive information and examples of real strategies to employ
