Hemp is a natural fiber that can be used in concrete, insulation, furniture, and much more…
Hemp is not new. It has a recorded history going back over 4,000 years. You may remember hearing that George Washington grew the stuff on his plantation, which he and many others did because in pre-industrial America, it was a staple cash crop and had many uses like; cloth, sail, rope, netting, paper, and many more. The first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on hemp paper and until the 1890’s, most paper in the US was made from hemp. Hemp was a very common crop in the US, especially in tobacco growing states until its cultivation was outlawed in 1937, the same year that cannabis was banned. During WWII, hemp was deemed essential to the war effort and special licenses were granted to grow hemp, but by 1947, hemp was gone. Hemp farmers have been struggling ever since to draw a distinction between industrial hemp, which for all practical purpose, has no psychoactive qualities but many valuable commercial uses, and its close genetic cousin cannabis (aka marijuana) which is popular with recreational and medical users today.
The new year in Michigan is off to a strong start, with the Michigan Central Station Ford Detroit Redevelopment Project receiving national recognition as one of the top development deals for 2018.
With the support of partners including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the city of Detroit, and others, the finished project will become the “centerpiece” of Ford’s new 1.2 million-square-foot Corktown campus and mobility hub. The remaining 300,000 square feet will serve as a mix of community and retail space, residential housing, and commercial space for local entrepreneurs.
Did you know that if your gut is unhealthy, it can be a roadblock to weight loss and nutrition? Even if you’re eating healthy foods, much of your good intentions could be lost because your body can be missing key nutritional elements that don’t make it through your gut.
This edition of the monthly newsletter comes during an unusally cold period for the Midwest. As reported in the Detroit Free Press this week, the current bout of frigid temperatures had utility companies and Gov. Whitmer calling on gas and electricity customers to dial back their energy consumption. Check out the full story here.
MEECA’s 5th Annual Banquet & Awards Celebration
March 6th is not that far away.Dont’ forget to sign up for the EE industry’s premier networking event of the year! Click here to learn more about registration and sponsorship opportunities.
EE in the News
Building Operator Certification Training
The Michigan Energy Office is offering a $400 discount to public and nonprofit building operators who attend building operator certification (BOC) classes this year. In addition to MEO’s discount, participants may also be eligible for utility rebates and a veteran’s discount. The BOC Level 1 class will be held in Kalamazoo starting in March, in Flint starting in May, and in Escanaba starting in July. Register here for the Level 1 courses and/or the supplemental courses. The BOC Level 2 class will be held starting in September at the Consumers Energy Training Center in Okemos. Register here for Level 2. People interested in the MEO and other discounts should email Karin Gredvig at kgredvig@mwalliance.org. More information on the BOC program is available at http://boccentral.org/.
PACE Continues to Expand in Michigan
Jackson and Emmet Counties have joined the growing ranks of Michigan jurisdictions that have adopted Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. In related news, MEECA member Levin Energy Partners has been entirely rebranded to Lean & Green Michigan with the departure of founder Andy Levin to serve in the U.S. Congress. Bali Kumar recently assumed the role of CEO at Lean & Green Michigan.
Utility Leader named as Crain’s Newsmaker
Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe was selected as a Crain’s Detroit Business “newsmaker of the year” for her leadership on clean energy issues. Visit this link for more about Ms. Poppe’s selection.
EIA Natural Gas Forecast
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects relatively flat natural gas prices, continued record production through 2020. See the full write-up in EIA’s January 2019 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).
New Report Highlights Exemplary Utility EE Programs
ACEEE’s new report “The Leaders of the Pack” is the organization’s fourth national review of EE programs. It highlights 53 models worthy of emulation in 14 program categories. To see which programs from Michigan made the cut, click here.
Fun factoids from the American Energy Society
* Globally, PC gamers use about 75 billion kWh of electricity each year, equivalent to the output of 25 electric power plants.
* During the winter months, about 40 percent of US households set their thermostats at 70 degrees and leave it unchanged.
House Re-Imagined
MEECA board member Doug Elbinger with Newman Consulting Group LLC recently published a piece on updates on the market for manufactured, modular, passive homes. He features an 800 square foot modulTWO home from the startup company PassivDom that can be sited anywhere and is completely autonomous. Doug’s article is available here.
It’s time for the nation to amplify its energy efficiency efforts
Edward Rightor, retired director of Strategic Projects at The Dow Chemical Co., is calling for the US to ramp up EE efforts. Read his recent op-ed in the Midland Daily News.
Public Policy Corner
House and Senate Energy Committees Announced
Assignments to the Michigan House Energy Committee and Senate Energy & Technology Committee were recently announced. For complete membership lists of all standing committees, visit this link for the House and this link for the Senate. MEECA looks forward to working with all of the committee members to strengthen Michigan’s energy efficiency industry.
Interview with Michigan’s Top Utility Regulator
MPSC Chair Sally Talberg spoke with Andy Balaskovitz of Midwest Energy News about the ongoing transition of Michigan’s energy system. Talberg, who received MEECA’s Public Servant of the Year award in 2017, concluded, “Its an exciting time. The pace of change is pretty remarkable with the cost reductions we’re seeing in renewable energy and other technologies.” To read the full interview, click here.
A Tale of Two Governors (who both supported energy efficiency)
MEECA member Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance reports on outgoing Governors Snyder (Michigan) and Dayton (Minnesota) to highlight the broad political appeal of energy efficiency in the Midwest. The full blog can be found at this website.
Welcome to our Newest Members!
Quality, pride in workmanship, supplying superior service to meet your needs. These are all traditions that date back to 1879 when James DeForest Candler founded his roofing company. They are traditions that remain foremost in the products and services that we provide in our second century of business.
Today, J.D. Candler Roofing Company is a multifaceted organization specializing in complete installation and roof asset life cycle management of industrial, commercial and institutional roofing systems.
International Radiant & Mechanical Systems, the leading supplier of heating and ventilation equipment in metro Detroit has years of experience and success in tackling the most difficult heating and ventilation projects. Our staff ensures our customers receive the best service possible. The loyalty of our customers, vendors and employees contributes to our growth and future capabilities.
As 2018 draws to a close, we highlight some of our work over the past twelve months in support of our member companies. For more details on these stories, click on the links below for each month to revisit that edition of the 2018 newsletter.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has unveiled a plain language checklist to help first responders provide services to individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities during emergency response and recovery efforts.
GLREA Annual Meeting on Saturday, Dec. 8 will provide the latest insights into what is happening with renewable energy in Michigan. Pre-meeting workshops from 10-12 will include Julie Baldwin, MPSC, discussing what DTE has proposed to replace net metering and Dave Strenski, SolarYpsi, discussing how communities can expand solar energy. The meeting will start at noon and include a panel that will share perspectives from the utility, private, and rural sectors on the development and growth of renewable energy in Michigan. Ms. Patti Poppe, President and CEO Consumers Energy, will provide comments toward the end of the meeting. The meeting will also include a GLREA update, solar property tax update, awards, and election of new board members. There will be time for networking too. Registration is $20. All are welcome. Please pre-register at www.glrea.org.
The time comes in every homeowner’s life when they must ask the question: “Is my home still meeting my needs?” Life events — such as a new job, growing family, or empty nesting — will make your once-perfect home less perfect as time goes on. Maybe you’re bursting at the seams and can’t fit any more relatives around the holiday table, or perhaps your once-full house now feels like an empty, open space. Whatever the reason, if you’ve realized it’s time for a change, the next question becomes: “Should I relocate — or renovate?”
We love food. Do you? We love teaching & desire vibrant health for everyone. We volunteer our time & resources to make this happen. We rely on donations to run our non-profit. Please consider attending this event, spreading the word about us, joining our team, and/or donating to our cause. We rely on you to help us help others! Thank you for your support!More
We did it! Today, Interior Secretary Zinke resigned from office, overwhelmed with scandals. Investigators at his own agency have also referred his case to the Justice Department, which means he could soon be facing criminal charges.More