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

In April Vice President Biden announced a $30 million Recovery Act grant to ramp up energy efficiency retrofits in Michigan homes, businesses, and public buildings. The Michigan Retrofit Ramp-up Initiative (MRRI) will target homes and commercial buildings across the state with energy efficiency incentives, along with affordable loans through Michigan SAVES and other innovative financing options. The MRRI proposal was developed by a coalition of key stakeholders, including state and local governments, the state’s electric utilities, educational institutions, and a number of public and private sector partners. Michigan’s award was the second largest award among the 25 retrofit ramp-up grants awarded to states and communities. See http://tinyurl.com/RecoveryActGrant

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 by Bruce Goodman

For some time there has been a cry for a comprehensive national energy policy.  Reliance on the free market to drive energy outcomes has led to a place the country does not want to be.  Clean power technology development has been left to others, principally Europe.  Oil imports to feed the nation’s transportation needs have driven foreign policy decisions and created economic insecurity.  Foreign automobile makers are ahead on energy efficiency and energy technology.  Climate change appears to be upon us whether we are ready or not.  The popular answers to these challenges are aimed at new and different price signals to the marketplace—gasoline tax, carbon tax, cap and trade, cash for clunkers, tax incentives, tax credits, tax rebates, grants, feed in tariffs–and some thought it difficult to solve an algebraic problem with only three variables.  Can there be a single “energy policy”?

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