[SusDet Announce] Energy Tidbits - July 2006

[Sarver, John H (DLEG)]

ENERGY TIDBITS - July 2006

Energy Choices for a Sustainable Future Conference will be held on August 26, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm at Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center in Oxford.  Keynote addresses will be by Debra Rowe, University Leaders for Sustainable Future, and Jennifer Alvarado, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assoc.  Workshop topics will include renewable energy basics, home energy audits, green building, biodiesel fuels, geothermal, zero energy homes, natural building, hydrogen, tax credits, small wind basics, and solar energy. Contact: uheac at earthlink.net or 248-693-1021.

Gov. Granholm Supports National Goal of 25 x 25.  The agricultural industry plans to achieve the goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025 by producing biomass, wind, and solar energy. Concurrent resolutions have been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate to express the sense of Congress that 25% of U.S. energy should come from renewable resources and be domestically produced.           

3,145 MPG was achieved by the University of British Columbia at the Society of Automotive Engineers' annual Supermileage event.  29 university teams and 12 high school teams competed at the Eaton Corp. proving grounds near Marshall.  The one-person vehicles were built for an average of $5,000.  The Central Michigan U. vehicle took 14th place with a MPG of 293.

Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes program is helping builders, homeowners, lenders and realtors build, buy and sell better homes. The Michigan Build! program links builders with the consultants who will not only rate their homes for ENERGY STAR, but also assist in marketing the home. The Michigan Build! Standards include ENERGY STAR standards, as well as additional requirements and guidelines for improved air quality. The result is safer, more durable, energy efficient homes. The Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes program is a partnership led by Urban Options in East Lansing and WARM Training Center in Detroit. More information is available at http://www.michiganbuild.org

Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice on the commercial building energy efficiency tax deduction.  http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=158395,00.html

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Outreach Grants will be available to non-profit or public organizations to conduct outreach projects in Michigan to promote and market  1) Solar Energy,  2) Wind Energy, 3) ENERGY STAR Products, and 4) ENERGY STAR Homes.  It is expected that four projects will be funded, one in each project area. Each project can be up to $50,000.  The activities in the proposed grant(s) will cover one year from January 1-December 31, 2007.  The deadline for proposals is September 15, 2006.  To obtain a Request for Proposal, contact jhsarve at michigan.gov. 

Tankless Water Heaters is the subject of the June 2006 Energy Observer.  Go to www.michigan.gov/energyoffice and look under Publications.

Woodcreek Elementary Magnet School students won first place in the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assoc. solar oven contest.  The fifth-graders - Raquel Harris, DeShon Leek and Jennica Lurie - constructed their solar oven with household items. 16 ovens were entered in the contest.

John Ball Zoological Garden in Grand Rapids has been awarded an $18,400 grant from the Energy Office for a feasibility study to help the zoo convert its wastes into energy. The study will involve characterizing the amount and types of waste generated by the zoo.  Zoo wastes include animal manure, spent animal bedding, uneaten animal feed, food waste generated by concessions, and waste water used to clean the animal holding areas.  

Green Generation customer participation has doubled to 2,500 enrollments. Consumers Energy's Green Generation program was launched last October and, since then, suppliers have produced 10 million kWh of new green power, sufficient to meet the needs of 1,200 homes. The voluntarily program charges $2.50 per month for minimal offset, to $14 for full green credit. Consumers Energy has entered into supply contracts with seven new independent renewable energy projects, and 75% will come from wind turbines, including the Noble Environmental Power windfarm under construction in Huron County. The balance will come from landfill gas facilities.

Improving Pumping System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry contains practical guidelines.  http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy06osti/37637.pdf  

Michigan Apollo Alliance has been formed by a coalition of 23 labor unions and a number of environmental groups to end America's dependence on foreign oil. Organizations that have signed on to the Apollo coalition include: Clean Water Action-Michigan, Ecology Center, Environment Michigan, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, PIRGIM, International Association of Machinists, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #17, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #58, International Union of Operating Engineers, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan State Building Trades Council, and the United Auto Workers.   The Alliance has sent a letter to Michigan lawmakers and the governor calling for a Renewable Portfolio Standard as part of the state's 21st Century energy strategy. 

Renewable Energy Workshop: Building a Solar Panel System will be held on Saturday, July 15, 9 am - 1 pm at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings.  Contact: 269-721-4190.

Verdant Power plans to submerge experimental turbines in the East River between Manhattan and Queens.  The six 15' tall turbines will draw energy from tidal currents to power a nearby supermarket and parking garage. The blunt rotor blades, spanning more than 16' tip to tip, will turn at a slow 32 rpm. Each turbine, anchored to bedrock and widely spaced in 30' of water, will work in both directions to accommodate reversing tidal currents. Verdant's 18-month test starting this summer should produce up to 200 kW at peak capacity. If the test succeeds, the next stage in 2010 would use up to 300 improved turbines generating enough power for 8,000 New York homes.

Energy Smart Schools Incentives are available from the Energy Office to encourage Michigan K-12 public school districts to integrate energy education into their curriculum during the 2006-2007 school year.  Extra-curricular activities that complement the energy curriculum may also be proposed.  Awards up to $6,000 per district will be made for faculty workshops and educational materials for students.  Contact Tim Shireman at (517) 241-6281 or tashire at michigan.gov to obtain an application.  Applications will be accepted through July 31, 2006 and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Rebuild Michigan, part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America program, is designed to foster partnerships that promote energy efficiency within communities. Public and non-profit organizations are eligible to submit proposals to plan and implement a Rebuild program in their community. Proposals are due July 17, 2006. It is expected that five to six grants will be awarded. The maximum grant award is up to $24,900. To request a copy of the RFP contact Tom Krupiarz, at (517) 241-6184 or takrupi at michigan.gov.
 
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