by Bruce Goodman

The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth is producing a monthly 30-minute TV show designed to provide information about the latest initiatives and activities in state government related to renewable energy, green jobs, energy efficiency, and advanced energy technologies. Michigan’s Energy Future Today is hosted by DELEG Deputy Director Liesl Eichler Clark and can be seen on more than 80 cable stations around the state. The July 2009 episode featuring advances in solar energy was selected for an award from the 31st Annual Telly Awards, a national program recognizing outstanding achievement in the TV, commercial, and video industry. See http://michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-51651-233579–,00.html

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by Bruce Goodman

The Michigan Public Service Commission has announced it will hold a public hearing at 9 a.m. on June 22 for its proposed rules governing renewable energy plans and energy optimization plans. These rules may well set the tone and the future for energy projects in Michigan for the next decade.  Provisions include defining the “Michigan content” needed for a 10 percent REC bonus and how to compute RECs for pumped storage and mixed biofuel facilities. Part 2 of the proposed rules contain the details of how utilities are to implement their RPS plans, including rules on the five factors a utility may use to limit participation by bidders in RFP solicitations. Any person may submit written comments (reference Case No. U-15900) which must be received no later than 5 p.m. on July 14. See proposed rules at: http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/docs/15900/0001.pdf

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 by Bruce Goodman

A total of 636 solar panels now cover the roof of the Padnos Iron & Metal Company’s plastic and paper recycling station in Wyoming, Michigan.  The 150 KW project was installed by Cascade Renewable Energy of Grand Rapids.   Electricity generated by the project is being purchased at 45¢ per kilowatt hour for the next twelve years by Consumers Energy under its Experimental Advanced Renewable Program.

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by Bruce Goodman

Early in October Tom Friedman from the New York Times spoke in Grand Rapids. He addressed a crowd of 700 on many of the messages contained in his most recent book Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution. His was an optimist message — no matter the problem(s), if we start solving them now they can be solved in time. He left somewhat to the imagination what constituted “in time”, having earlier stated that Al Gore got it all wrong on global warming. It fact it was happening faster and more severely than the former vice president predicted.

Not surprisingly his call for a carbon tax as a price signal that makes dirty fuels more expensive and clean fuels relatively cheaper did not get a lot of applause, even though it makes sense. He called on the crowd and the nation to be diligent and innovative in searching for sources of abundant, cheap, clean reliable electricity generation. He ended his presentation with his motto: “Change your leaders, not your light bulbs, because leaders write the rules. Rules shape the markets and markets give you scale. It starts there.”

Many more interesting and thought provoking comments. He could start a revolution.

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by Bruce Goodman

Yesterday I was invited by Southwest Michigan First to make a presentation on Legal/Permitting Processes relating to the electric power industry.   It was interesting to have Consumers Energy and American Electric Power on the same panel discussing alternative energy options.  I know that for every independent power supplier contract they sign they are reducing their own chance to “build that capacity.”  And only when a utility is building is there a return on investment for the shareholders.  Nonetheless, they appear to be genuinely ready to buy third-party capacity.

There was a lively discussion on reliability and speculation on the future of electric rates.  I tried to focus the discussion on reserve margin and backup capacity issues, but that was a little too advanced for this stage of the discussion.  A few people wanted to talk about these issues, and the pros and cons of natural gas backing up wind energy (a la T. Boone Pickens), but the time constraints of the program prevented that.

Very interesting presentation on the Kalamazoo Valley Community College wind turbine technician program.

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