"Facility managers today must deal with spiraling energy costs. The price of crude oil leapt above $77 a barrel as diesel fuel, natural gas, and electric rates soared to new highs," according to Albert Thumann, P.E., C.E.M., C.C.P., G.B.E., Executive Director of the Association of Energy Engineers. "Businesses today cannot survive unless they develop a comprehensive energy cost reduction program. In addition, organizations realize that global climate change is a reality. Reducing greenhouse gases, applying energy-efficient technologies, and developing sustainable buildings makes good business sense."

ISHPEMING - Despite rocky financial times and management issues, WindStor Power Co. has found a way to continue its wind turbine power generator project at the Pioneer Bluff senior citizen apartment building in Ishpeming. WindStor entered into an agreement to sell the planned 162-foot wind generator installation at the apartment building to Partners Green LLC, making Partners Green the official developer of the site.

ESCANABA - Escanaba is working toward developing a green energy policy so it can pursue alternative energy sources and offer energy conservation programs in the city. "The city has no ordinance in place to purchase power from individual power producers such as wind power," said Gil Cheves, interim project manager for the city's increased power needs, including the proposed new power plant.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today issued an order approving $45 million in low-income energy assistance grants to nine organizations. "My fellow Commissioners and I are extremely pleased to announce these grants today," said MPSC Chairman J. Peter Lark. "The grants awarded today will make help available to the people who need it most just as winter temperatures take hold."

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today initiated an investigation into the interconnection of independent power projects with electric utilities. The investigation will include a public meeting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 9, 2007. The MPSC notes that it adopted rules governing electric interconnection standards between independent power projects and electric utilities on Sept. 11, 2003 , and it approved interconnection procedures for 17 electric utilities on Aug. 10, 2004.

LANSING - It's not a hot-button election issue like sending jobs to China or failed economic policies. But renewable energy has entered into this November's contests, and it's about to become a much bigger debate. Gathering steam are measures both in the Legislature and the Michigan Public Service Commission that could require utilities to have part of their future power generation come from renewable sources. Such a renewable portfolio standard, enacted in 21 states, has the backing of Gov. Jennifer Granholm and many current and prospective state lawmakers.

Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chair Peter LARK said he is leaning toward a statewide 21st Century Energy plan that ups the state's alternative energy production from 3 percent to 10 percent by 2015, pushes energy conservation and brings aboard the "cleanest coal fire plant" available to take care of the expected 1.2 percent increase in energy consumption.