Second of seven scheduled energy forums held at GVSU
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Caroline MacGregor February 26, 2013 | WGVU Input from a
series of seven forums, including Monday's, will be gathered, assimilated and
digested by policy makers who use the information to make critical decisions about the
state’s energy future.
The agenda
started off with presentations from First Energy Solutions, ITC Holdings, The
Michigan League of Conservation Voters, MI Energy Innovation Business Council
and the Salvation Army before being opened to public comment. Energy efficiency, renewable energy, state regulations among
the topics tackled by presenters during the well attended gathering. Existing data and
studies will also be considered by Governor Snyder when he offers recommendations
on the state’s energy future in December.
Dan Scripps
with the MI Energy Innovation Business Council says lowering costs drives
innovation which further reduces costs. He gives the example of one single
technological breakthrough - moving the hubs of tower turbines from 70 to 100
meters off the ground, enabling an increase of 23 percent increase in
capacity or power output - thanks to better wind quality - which equals a 55
percent increase in energy production for turbine.
“So lower costs will mean more people will want to be engaged in this space. The more people that are engaged in this space, you come up with new technological breakthroughs that further reduce the cost.”
John Potvin is
with Midwest Energy Group, a company that helps clients identify, design and
implement energy efficiency projects. They rely heavily on incentives through
utility companies as well as state and federal incentives. He attended the
forum looking for commitment to those incentives as the state moves toward
getting 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
“It was important for us to hear that the state of Michigan and the utility companies that represent us here are committed to energy efficiency and going to continue with some of the programs that help customers that want to do energy efficiency projects - really get them to that tipping point of actually being able to afford to install those measures to get them the energy efficiency they hope to achieve.”
Potvin wants
to Michigan become more competitive with other states.
"As evidenced by the speakers today, we realize we are not that competitive when it comes to the Midwest states and who surrounds us and that plays a huge part in having businesses locate here for future expansion. It's important that we tackle this because business owners today truly look at every single line item"
The fact
that Mi is a peninsula but robustly interconnected to power systems in other
states was emphasized several times. The next public forum will be held at
Delta College – University Center in the Saginaw/Bay County areas. All forums
are held from 1pm to 5pm. More information can be found at www.Michigan.gov/energy.
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Wednesday Mosquito killer and repellent in demand May 22, 2013 | WGVU The recent mosquito explosion has created a run on mosquito killer and repellent. With outdoor graduation parties, weddings and the Memorial Day weekend ahead, you may want to consider some mosquito protection. ListenDownload Lawmaker proposes changes to Michigan fireworks law Lansing MI May 22, 2013 | WGVU State lawmakers are working against the clock to modify Michigan’s year-old fireworks law allowing consumers to buy previously illegal pyrotechnics. The changes include giving local governments more control on when people can shoot off these powerful explosives. WGVU’s David Moore reports ListenDownload Cousin tesifies in court that Jahleel Hoskins choked girlfriend May 22, 2013 | WGVU The cousin of an accused murderer testified in court today Jahleel Hoskins admitted choking to death his girlfriend, Latrice Maze. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Man accused of lawmaker threats avoids trial Flint MI May 22, 2013 | AP A Flint man who authorities say threatened to kill three lawmakers from Michigan has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. Financially troubled district recalls more workers Buena Vista Twp MI May 22, 2013 | AP The financially troubled Buena Vista Schools district is recalling more employees who were laid off when the district shut down for about two weeks. Holland, Michigan site of AMC show's premiere Holland MI May 22, 2013 | AP An AMC talent show reality series will premiere Thursday with an episode set in Holland, Mich. After complaints, Grand Rapids copter patrols are grounded Grand Rapids MI May 22, 2013 | AP State police say they're halting helicopter patrols over Grand Rapids after noise complaints.
Proposal to block insurance coverage for abortions Lansing MI May 22, 2013 | AP Michigan's election board was expected to consider a petition form for a proposal that would prohibit Michigan health insurance plans for covering elective abortions unless individuals or businesses buy a supplemental policy. Performance pay for teachers moves forward in state House May 22, 2013 | MPRN A state House panel has approved a plan to tie teachers’ pay to student performance. But as Jake Neher tells us, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they’re worried the bill would strip away local control.
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Tuesday Entergy calls Palisades tank replacement permanent solution to leaks May 21, 2013 | WGVU Palisades Nuclear Plant has completed what it calls “extensive inspections” of its safety injection/refueling water storage tank and developed a comprehensive repair plan. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Ottawa County Patriots caught up in IRS "scandal" May 21, 2013 | WGVU An audit by the Treasury Department inspector general found that IRS employees singled out groups with names like "tea party" and "patriots" for special scrutiny that delayed their applications for tax exempt status. The Ottawa County Patriots say its been targeted, too. ListenDownload Palisades water tank repairs take to early summer Covert Twp MI May 21, 2013 | AP Operators of the idled Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in southwestern Michigan say repairs to a tank that leaked slightly radioactive water into Lake Michigan will take until early summer to complete. Michigan Democrats lay out auto insurance bills Lansing MI May 21, 2013 | AP Detroit's Democratic state House Caucus is laying out an effort to change Michigan's auto insurance policies. Man with pressure cooker in baggage seeks bond Detroit MI May 21, 2013 | AP A federal defender has requested bond for a Saudi man arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after federal agents accused him of lying about why he was traveling with a pressure cooker. Michigan 6th-grader finalist in Geography Bee Bloomfield Hills MI May 21, 2013 | AP A Detroit area sixth-grader is a top 10 finalist in the National Geographic Geography Bee.
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Jake Neher has more.
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Monday BBB: Medic alert scam targets Seniors Grand Rapids MI May 20, 2013 | WGVU Senior citizens are the targets of a widespread scam involving medical alert devices. As WGVU’s David Moore reports, this is one of the latest ways of getting access to sensitive personal information. ListenDownload Kayakers find body in Thornapple River May 20, 2013 | WGVU Officials say kayakers have found a man's body in the Thornapple River. Step Forward MI program invokes faith leaders to help at risk homeowners May 20, 2013 | WGVU Mayor George Heartwell was joined by Republican State Senator Mark C. Jansen and Democratic State Rep. Winnie Brinks Monday to announce a faith-based initiative to help at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports. ListenDownload Snyder officials to meet with Michigan residents May 20, 2013 | WGVU Officials from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's administration are planning to travel across the state this week to take suggestions and answer questions from Michigan residents. Michigan cancer patients to back Medicaid expansion Lansing MI May 20, 2013 | AP Cancer patients and survivors in Michigan are expected to call on lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage for about 400,000 uninsured Michigan residents Michigan works to get some inmates higher education Lansing MI May 20, 2013 | AP The Michigan Department of Corrections has several efforts to teach community college courses and vocational training in-house to a small number of inmates near parole. Suspended judge faces tenure commission hearing Ann Arbor MI May 20, 2013 | AP A judge who a state agency says had an affair with a woman who had a child-support case pending in his court faces a hearing. Officials to kick of Michigan seat belt campaign Detroit MI May 20, 2013 | AP Law enforcement officials across Michigan will be enforcing federally funded safety belt enforcement zones. AAA Mich.: Gas prices rise 10 cents over past week Dearborn MI May 20, 2013 | AP AAA Michigan says gasoline prices have risen about 10 cents during the past week to a statewide average of about $3.88 per gallon. Police get high-priority tips in search for woman May 20, 2013 | AP Police looking for a 25-year-old woman who disappeared from her job at a West Michigan gas station last month say they're investigating high-priority tips received over the weekend. Effort aims to keep Mich. kids out of foster care May 20, 2013 | AP The Michigan Department of Human Services plans a pilot project in three counties designed to keep children out of foster care and cut costs. Advocates for the poor: Restore Earned Income Tax Credit with tax windfall May 20, 2013 | MPRN The debate continues in Lansing over how the state should spend almost half-a-(b) billion dollars in unexpected revenue this year.
As Jake Neher tells us, some advocacy groups say lawmakers should use it to restore tax credits for the working poor.
ListenDownload Salary commission will recommend no changes to governor’s paycheck May 20, 2013 | MPRN A state salary commission is expected to recommend no pay raises for the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators when it meets tomorrow . But, as we hear from Rick Pluta, there could be a dust-up over judges’ salaries.
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