In early 2010, the competitive grant application was made available to Michigan non-entitlement communities, for up to $50,000 toward implementation of energy reducing systems. Funding for these “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants” were made available through federal stimulus funds handed to the State of Michigan, and awarded by the state's Bureau of Energy Systems, a division of the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DELEG). Around 125 total grants would be awarded, with twelve of those granted to U.P. towns.

Planning work for a wind turbine at Pioneer Bluff Apartments in Ishpeming began in 2005.
City residents have been waiting since then, through lawsuits and financial problems, and then a new company taking over the project.

But now that new company has the funding it needs to wrap things up and get the turbine prototype into production.

The U.S. Department of Energy has just given Clean Green Energy, LLC a grant of more than $750,000 to finish the turbine.

ISHPEMING - The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded more than $760,000 to Clean Green Energy LLC, one of the companies involved in the construction of the wind turbine at the Pioneer Bluffs Apartments, to commercialize and mass produce similar turbines.

Bryan Zaplitny, president and CEO of both Clean Green Energy and MTI Energy Management, said the Ishpeming turbine is continuing through its testing phase, with the possibility of being operational by the end of the year.

Governor Jennifer Granholm announced in late January that the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DELEG) has awarded $17.4 million in grants to 125 cities, villages, townships, and counties throughout Michigan to support local energy efficiency projects.

The state Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).

The contract with the Michigan Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation will be reimbursed through a block grant issued by a state agency, meaning the actual cost to the village of Pinckney is zero.

Village President Rebecca Foster said energy kits will likely be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with the likely target date being Earth Day, which is April 22.

Cooler temperatures, gray skies and even the raindrops could not dampen the high spirits and enthusiasm of the 100 Lowell elementary students.  The essays and drawings were wonderful.  The smiling faces of students, school faculty, community members, and parents added to the wonder of the day.

Special pricing has been negotiated with the manufacturer that is designed to be competitive with other national bulk suppliers of energy efficient products. A website has been setup to sell products and service Weatherization Programs in Michigan. Custom services for programs are also available.

The unofficial start of summer sounded the start of the race to bring clean energy jobs to Michigan and the nation through comprehensive climate and energy legislation. After several drama-filled weeks of negotiation, the House Energy and Commerce Committee emerged with a blueprint and an expanded coalition of members of Congress ready to make the U.S. the world's clean energy leader.

Michigan GREEN (Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation), a non-profit energy organization, recently completed an energy audit for Pinckney Community Public Library (PCPL) through a grant from the state energy office. This energy audit, which included a utility bill analysis of electric and natural gas consumption, identified opportunities for energy conservation. Based on the audit, Michigan GREEN recommended that the Pinckney Library move forward with an energy efficiency upgrade.