May 08, 2009

Pending climate legislation could transform the nation's energy sector, prompting an assortment of special interests to line Capitol Hill. Industry and environmentalists are constitutionally permitted to petition their government, meaning that any final bill will represent an amalgam of concerns and likely reflect a measured response.

Lobbyists are traipsing to Washington as U.S. lawmakers debate how the nation sets about to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, all from 1990 levels. The turn of events is fascinating, given that five years ago neither the House nor the Senate could muster the votes. Today, however, the issue has consumed key committees and is clearly on the minds of American business.

May 06, 2009

If green energy is to launch the nation into a new economic realm, then modern technologies and skilled engineers must be the catalyst. But a flood of retirements may thwart that promise, prompting industry, academia and government to collaborate and offer tangible ways to ensure progress.

President Obama's rise has also energized the utility sector and given it an opportunity to help pivot the nation into economic recovery. Indeed, the emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and the greening of corporate America is leading to the research and development of alternative generation and the intelligent utility that offers two-way communications between providers and their customers. And while that may spark interests in power engineering, the fear is that the overall effort may be insufficient.

Source: The Great Lakes IT Report
Posted: Wednesday, 5 May 2009
by Matt Roush

The Engineering Society of Detroit and DTE Energy drew around 800 people to the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi Tuesday for their annual Energy Conference and Exhibition.

With the theme "Advancing Energy Efficiency and Productivity," the event featured a morning of specialized, highly technical energy presentations on everything from LED lighting to green roofs to solar power to more efficient uses in compressed air systems.

A luncheon keynote from Monica Martinez, one of the commissioners on the Michigan Public Service Commission, was a cheerleading session on the state's possibilities in renewable and alternative energy technologies.

Martinez said Michigan a century ago, even a couple of generations ago, was a hotbed of opportunity and innovation. "Do you see that today?" she asked the crowd, then responded to their silence: "That's my challenge to each and every one of you here today. You came here because energy is important to you and so central to our future. At the turn of the 20th Century, Michigan was changing everything and creating the middle class. We need to get that spark back."

May 04, 2009

Times are tough. But utilities are buckling down. It's about maximizing performance for the betterment of shareholders, customers and employees.

With rising energy prices, utilities are encouraging conservation while also holding down price increases. And with credit rating agencies more vigilant than ever, they are working to streamline operations. The dynamics are requiring utilities to try new ideas and technological innovations. Driving efficiency is therefore paramount. What gets measured gets managed.

On April 28th, Michigan GREEN met individually with 3 State Representatives and State Senator Patricia Birkholz (24th District) to showcase our non-profit association and the initiatives we’re championing, including the innovative Project EverGREEN Schools. The 3 representatives are members of the House Energy Committee and included Chairman Jeff Mayes (96th District), Paul Opsommer (93rd District), and Dan Scripps (101st District).  Senator Birkholz is a member of the Senate Energy Policy & Public Utilities Committee. Discussion centered on increasing the current 150 kW net metering limit which is one of the lowest in the country, to 1 or 2 megawatt and position Michigan with the leading renewable energy states. The legislators also listened to our points that the low net metering limit economically penalizes schools who operate an on-site renewable energy system sized to their facility, and that proposed legislation disallows 3rd party ownership, or private investment, of these systems.  The meetings were deemed a great success highlighted by Representative Scripps signing our Say Yes To Green Schools petition, with support for our mission being expressed by all.