This year, go green on St. Patrick's day in a different way. With green energy.
The Grand Vision Energy Working Group will host a Renewable Energy forum on March 17.
It starts at 7pm and will be held at the Traverse Area District Library.
Michigan currently receives only 3% of its electricity from renewable energy. By law, electricity [...]
John Farrell is a researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. He recently wrote this commentary for Minnesota Public Radio on how local communities in the Midwest can begin to take control of their energy futures.
"State policies to support local ownership can triple or quadruple the economic benefits of their wind resource. Energy efficiency standards can [...]
When most people hear about using solar power in Michigan there is usually the response: "But the sun never shines in Michigan."
Apparently, that does not matter when it comes to solar power.
And J.D. Stratton Electric, Inc. is trying to prove that. They have installed a solar system in Glen Lake and have made the power [...]
February 26, 2010 – 3:19 pm
There was one thing that everyone agreed on at last night's forum at the City Opera House: Traverse City Light and Power's goal to have 30 percent local, renewable energy sources by 2020 (billed as 30x20) is a great thing.
There was unanimous consent for 30x20, praise for TC L&P's leadership role on this issue, and [...]
February 22, 2010 – 3:17 pm
When it comes to energy, it is easy to find information on the problems: fossil fuel supplies, national security, air quality, environmental impacts, rising costs. And when you start to really delve into the details, there can arise this overwhelming sense of dread. What are we going to do in the face of disappearing fossil [...]
February 18, 2010 – 11:59 am
Tonight, the Grand Vision Energy Working Group will host an energy forum on saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases.
The featured speaker will be David Konkle, who is the municipal training director for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). There will also be presentations from four Grand Vision working groups: Energy, Natural Resources, and [...]
February 11, 2010 – 4:14 pm
On Feb 18, the Grand Vision Energy Working Group will host an energy forum on saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases.
The featured speaker will be David Konkle, who is the municipal training director for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). There will also be presentations from four Grand Vision working groups: Energy, Transportation, [...]
February 10, 2010 – 1:34 pm
Click to see what appliances qualify and how to file for the rebate.
7&4 News has this report on the rebate program:
"The Appliance Trade Up Rebate Program is available to michigan residents to help buy any new Energy Star or CEE rated clothes washer, refrigerator or dishwasher.
And some manufacturers plan to match the government's rebates, "Not [...]
February 5, 2010 – 3:14 pm
As counties and townships consider wind ordinances, here is one article on the wind ordinance Benzie county recently adopted.
From DOME magazine:
"Benzie County packs a lot of punch into a little space. Located in the northwest Lower Peninsula, it’s Michigan’s smallest county in terms of size, but its sweeping shorelines, majestic bluffs, and crystal clear waters [...]
January 27, 2010 – 2:07 pm
When it comes to Commercial Wind Ordinances you may not find one more comprehensive than the draft in front of the Centerville Township Planning Commission. (Read the ordinance here.)
The result of nearly four years worth of work, the original was compiled by the Commercial Wind Energy Systems (CWES) Sub-Committee. The members of the sub-committee traveled [...]
