Energy Saving Light Bulbs in Street Lights. Replacing standard incandescent electric bulbs with LED bulbs in street lights is one particular common green energy project. In the biggest such project on the planet, Los Angeles is replacing the bulbs of 140,000 street lights. The LED bulbs use considerably less electrical energy, creating not simply money savings but also savings in the oil and coal required to create electrical energy. When complete, the project will save the City $10 million every year. Of that, $2.five million will probably be saved on maintenance costs and $7.five million in electrical usage. The project will also lessen carbon emissions from electric generation by 40,500 tons per year. That is like taking 6,700 vehicles off L.A. streets for the life with the bulbs — each and every year for 10 or so years.

L.A. City engineers originally hoped that the LED bulbs would save 40% on electric bills. When they measured the savings of switching more than the first 20,000 bulbs, they were pleasantly surprised to discover that the savings on electrical energy was much more like 55%. The City has also discovered that the LED lights develop brighter and a lot more uniform visibility, decreasing pockets of dark shadow that standard street lights tend to leave.

L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa commented proudly, “We’re seeing L.A. lead the way.” The project is becoming funded, in portion, by Federal stimulus dollars at the same time as the Clinton Foundation. Sarah Potts with the Clinton Foundation said, “The Clinton Climate Initiative was excited to perform on this project primarily because L.A. was willing to be a mover on this. They had been prepared to set the bar for exactly where energy efficiency street lighting could and should go.”

Nevertheless, L.A. isn’t alone. This kind of green street lighting project is getting undertaken from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to towns in Northern California, exactly where PG&E, the electric utility, gives rate breaks and rebates to its street light customers who switch over to LED bulbs.

Green Energy Projects at Home. We don’t have to wait for government projects before we can start saving income by helping the environment. If you want to go greener in your own home or business, you can take steps that range from quick and simple to far more ambitious:

1. Replace the bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Today’s fluorescents fit into regular lamps and fixtures, come in a range of warm colors, and save electrical energy. While CFL bulbs cost more at the supermarket, they last longer than old-fashioned incandescents, and so cost much less over their lifetimes. You can start by buying a four-pack on your next trip for groceries. Unscrew the bulbs in the light fixtures you use most often and screw in the new bulbs. It’s that simple.
2. Install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are very efficient when it comes to cooling a room. Set your thermostat for the air conditioner 2 degrees higher than usual, turn on your ceiling fan, and you’re achieving the usual cooling effect while saving money and electricity.
3. Here’s a far more ambitious green step. Make your next car an electric hybrid or all-electric. Electric vehicles decrease our dependence on foreign oil — 60% of our oil imports are burned in our vehicles. Electric vehicles are available today that are competitively priced, convenient, and also give you the benefit of freeing you from the ups and downs of gas prices while enjoying the satisfaction of helping the atmosphere.

If you see solar panels on some from the buildings in your town or if you’ve purchased an Power Star appliance or installed compact fluorescents in your light fixtures, you and your town are portion in the green energy movement that is quietly growing throughout our country.

Vol. 2. No. 32 December 5, 2008

Executive Director’s Update:

To: MSEC Members

From: Andy Such, Executive Director

Second Important Board Meeting

What’s Next?

The MSEC Board met on November 10 and discussed the future of the organization as Renewable Energy moves to the implementation stage. There a was a great deal of discussion and it was decided to schedule a Board meeting for December 8 to discuss further and take appropriate actions.

The future direction of the organization will be up to your MSEC Board of Directors and you, the members of MSEC.

There was a general consensus amongst Board members that our work is just beginning with the passage of the RPS legislation. There is the job of monitoring the activities of the MPSC regarding renewable energy and being involved in the implementation of the new laws.

We must exercise oversight there to make sure the things that were agreed to be actually implemented. We also need to keep legislators informed as to how the implementation of renewable energy is facilitated and suggest changes in the law when we feel they are needed.

Board Meeting, Monday, December 8 at Noon at MFB Offices

We will have a Board meeting on Monday December 8 at 12:00 noon at the Michigan Farm Bureau. If you have any questions please feel free to call.

Thanks. – Andy

Utilities Ordered To File Energy Plans
Electric and gas companies must file renewable energy and energy optimization plans with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) under a “temporary order” issued Thursday, December 4, 2008.

Under the new energy law, the MSPC is charged with ultimately approving whatever the utility companies turn in.

MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu called today’s action “the first step of many that will be taken by the MPSC and utilities to provide Michigan with a reliable, stable electric supply to meet our future needs.”

Electric companies must lay out plans to meet the new renewable portfolio standards, which require that a certain amount of generation come from renewable sources, like wind and solar energy. The idea is for energy companies to focus on ways to conserve energy consumption and stave off construction of new electric generation plants.

Electric utilities and alternative electric suppliers have 90 days to file their plans. Municipal-owned and member-regulated utilities have 120 days.

The MPSC staff will conduct two technical conferences to help the utilities with its plans.

The first conference will be held at 9 a.m., Jan. 5 at the MPSC’s Lansing office. The second conference will be Jan. 6 in the same location.

Wind Energy Resource Zone Board Members Named
As directed under the new energy law, the MPSC today created the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board and appointed 11 members to serve.

The appointees are:

- Trevor LAUER, DTE Energy vice president, retail marketing, representing the electric utility industry

- David WALTERS, Zeeland Board of Public Works general manager, representing the electric utility industry

- Robert IANNI, Department of Attorney General, Tobacco and Special Litigation Division chief, representing the Attorney General

- John MICELI, Wolverine Power Cooperative energy market analyst, representing alternative electric suppliers

- Steve BROCK, Farmington Hills city manager, representing cities and villages

- Gene JORISSEN, Charter Township of Pere Marquette supervisor, representing townships

- Roger KERSHNER, Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc., representing the renewable energy industry

- David WRIGHT, Michigan Environmental Council, representing a statewide environmental organization

- Thomas VITEZ, vice president, Transmission Planning, ITC Holdings Corp., representing independent transmission companies

- Mary TEMPLETON, senior vice president, North American OEM Group, R.L. Polk & Company, representing the public at large

- Julie BALDWIN, MPSC engineer, representing the Commission

The board is charged with studying how economically viable wind energy production is in various parts of the state and how much land is available in those areas where wind energy would work. A preliminary report is due by June 2, 2009.

The impacted local units of government have 63 days to look at the first draft and submit comments. The board has 45 days from then to issue a final report.

Electric companies will get 45 days to look at the results and let the board know where it feels wind energy makes sense economically. The board then has 45 days to wrap up its work, after which it is required to dissolve.

In Other MPSC Actions on Thursday, December 4…

Cloverland Electric Cooperative Rates To Increase
MPSC approval of Cloverland Electric Cooperative’s 2007 power supply costs and time interest earned ratio (TIER) ratemaking mechanism will result in customers paying more beginning the next full billing month.

The Commission found the company under-collected $994,494 for the 12-month period ended Dec. 31, 2007. That amount has been recovered in the company’s 2008 power supply cost recovery (PSCR) plan.

However, the Commission authorized the utility to increase its TIER that will increase rates by $956,904.

MPSC Hosts Nigerian Delegation
As participants in an exchange program, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is hosting a delegation of officials from the Nigerian Electric Regulatory Commission.

Through the sponsorship of the United States Agency for International Development and the joint efforts of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Nigerian Electric Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Michigan Public Service Commission, the NERC and MPSC have entered into a partnership for the exchange of experience and information.

Last July, a delegation from the MPSC visited Abuja, Nigeria. This week, the Nigerian delegation is visiting Lansing.

MSEC Meetings

The MSEC Board of Directors will meet on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the Michigan Farm Bureau Offices at 7373 West Saginaw in Lansing.

Legislative Meetings

House Meetings Scheduled (Includes House and Joint Committees)
Appropriations: Joint Capital Outlay (12/9/2008) New
Conference Committee on HB 5282 (12/9/2008) New
Conference Committee on HB 5283 (12/9/2008) New
Judiciary (12/9/2008)
Judiciary (12/10/2008)

Senate Meetings Scheduled (Includes Senate and Joint Committees)
Commerce and Tourism (12/9/2008)
Commerce and Tourism (12/10/2008)
Conference Committee on Health Care Corporations (12/9/2008)
Conference Committee on Individual Health Benefit Plans (12/9/2008)
Education (12/10/2008)
Judiciary (12/10/2008)
Legislative Commission on Government Efficiency (12/8/2008)
Legislative Commission on Statutory Mandates (12/18/2008)
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs (12/9/2008) Cancelled
Senate Fiscal Agency Board of Governors (12/10/2008)

MSEC Website

The MSEC website address is: www.michigancleanenergy.com Please take a look and tell your colleagues who are not members of MSEC that they can join on line.

If you have any information for the site, or would like to help, contact Andy Such at: ajsuch@comcast.net Thanks again to Rich Vander Veen and the folks at Mackinaw Power for their support of the MSEC website.

NOTE: Any comments, suggestions or questions on this newsletter should be directed to Andy Such, Executive Director at 517-202-1786 or ajsuch@comcast.net

For more information contact:

Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition

124 West Allegan, Suite 1210

Lansing, MI 48933

517-202-1786

• Michigan produces little of these fossil fuels within the State, which makes us highly vulnerable to rising and highly volatile fossil energy costs and the uncertain and politically unstable future of non-renewable energy.

• Our state energy portfolio is not diversified and Michigan depends on other states and countries to secure our energy needs. It would be foolish to wait until these finite resources become even more scarce before developing alternative energy supply strategies. The time to act is now!

• Fuel sources to produce electricity in Michigan in 2004 were: 63% coal, 10% natural gas, 23% nuclear, and only 3% from renewable sources.

• In 2004, imported fuels cost Michigan citizens and businesses roughly $20 billion (roughly 5% of the State’s GDP) transferring economic power we need here to fossil fuel rich states and countries. Approximately $2.6 billion of this spent on fuel for the generation of electricity in Michigan.

• According to the Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan has steadily growing demand for more electric power generation. The recently completed Capacity Needs Forum (CNF), conducted by the MPSC, reported that our current electrical generation system will not meet Michigan’s demand by 2009. (This includes a 15% reserve margin.)

• We believe that now is the time to begin meeting future Michigan energy demands with a growing mix of sustainable and renewable energy resources.

• A plan including a Renewable Portfolio Standard will provide energy security, energy diversity, a healthier environment and a boost to needed economic development.

Website: www.michigancat.com
Phone: 248-349-7050 x4368
Email: kevin’oconnell@michigancat.com
Cellphone: 517-230-5444

Location: 25000 Novi Road
Novi, MI 48375

Vol. 2. No. 29 October 31, 2008

Executive Director’s Update:

To: MSEC Members

From: Andy Such, Executive Director

Successful “Boot Camp” on New Energy Laws

MSEC has been very busy since the passage of the new renewable energy laws in late September. We presented a two-day conference on implementation of the new law and began our efforts to work with the Michigan Public Service Commission on implementation of the new law. The conference was a cooperative effort with the MPSC. Over 80 people attended and by any measure it was a success. (See details below)

Skip Pruss Get a Promotion

Skipp Pruss, the Governor’s lead on the energy legislation has left to executive office to head the state department that will focus on energy and jobs. (See story below)

Cooley to Head NEXT Energy

Keith Cooley former Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth is leaving state government to head NEXT Energy in Detroit. He replaces Jim Croce who left NEXT Energy earlier this year (see story below)

MPSC Issues Orders

The Michigan Public Service Commission issued 131 orders to begin the implementation of the new energy laws. MSEC is planning to comment on some of these orders subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

What’s Next?

So, where do we go from here?

The direction will be up to your MSEC Board of Directors and you, the members of MSEC.

I think our work is just beginning with the passage of this legislation. There is the job of monitoring the activities of the MPSC regarding renewable energy and being involved in the implementation of the new laws.

We must exercise oversight there to make sure the things that were agreed to be actually implemented. We also need to keep legislators informed as to how the implementation of renewable energy is facilitated and suggest changes in the law when we feel they are needed.

General Membership & Board Meeting November 10

We will have a Board meeting on Monday November 10 at 12:00 noon followed by a General Membership meeting at 1:30pm. Both meetings will be at the Michigan Farm Bureau. I urge you to attend these important meetings and join the discussion.

If you have any questions please feel free to call.

Thanks. – Andy

MSEC presents “Boot Camp” Renewable Energy

The Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition (MSEC) presented a very successful two day conference on Michigan’s new renewable energy laws last week. The two day conference was billed as “basic training” for the new law. The Fraser Trebilcock Law Firm co-sponsored the event.

The conference, the first of its kind dealing with the new law, examined the challenges and opportunities of Michigan’s recently passed Renewable Energy Laws Michigan’s new Renewable Energy laws offer new challenges and opportunities created with the passage of Michigan’s new renewable energy law (Senate Bill 213) in mid-September.

It was held Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing. Over eighty people from a wide range of energy companies, utilities, regulators, attorneys and consultants attended the conference.

The Michigan Public Service Commission cooperated in presenting the conference. All three Michigan Public Service Commissioners addressed the attendees as well as key MPSC staff and other renewable energy experts.

The conference addressed a broad range of renewable energy opportunities and challenges including:

* The new 10% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2015 will mean building more renewable facilities in Michigan. Learn about the yearly benchmarks, and the requirement for increased new renewable energy capacity. This will include what the utilities will be able to build and what they must purchase from Michigan sources.
* Energy Efficiency and Energy Optimization including load management. All providers including municipal and cooperative utilities will be required to file an “Energy Optimization Plan” with the Public Service Commission. Learn the obligations of companies served by these utilities and what these plans must include, how they are to be filed and what deadlines will be established.
* Net Metering provides an opportunity for small producers to sell power back to the utility. Learn how this program will work in Michigan as it is in a number of other states including the challenges and the opportunities of filing the application and the proper meter installation.
* Wind Energy Zones will be established. Learn what this will mean for Michigan businesses who want to build new wind facilities. The transmission of power from these new wind energy zones to the grid and what it may mean for your project will be discussed.
* Manufacturing and Production opportunities here in Michigan for, not only manufacturing the renewable energy, but also the components that go into renewable energy equipment including wind turbines, generators and other renewable energy equipment.

For more information on the conference and the Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition log on to www.michigancleanenergy.com or contact Andy Such at ajsuch@michigancleanenerrgy.com

Skip Pruss to Head DELEG

Stanley “Skip” Pruss, will take over the new department Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The department got a new name reflecting a new focus on energy, the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG). Pruss, who was Granholm’s right-hand man on the energy package, will be designated the Chief Energy Officer for the state of Michigan.

Keith Cooley the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) director since March 2007, is leaving to become CEO of NextEnergy in Detroit. (See story below)

“The target is job creation, securing investment,” Pruss said.

Senate Republicans had a different take about what the target of the changes were. The announcement comes after Granholm did an energy campaign event for Democratic nominee Barack Obama at Michigan State University last week.

“This is Granholm making her pitch for why she should be Cabinet Secretary for Energy,” said caucus spokesman Matt Marsden. “I’m not aware of any discussions she’s had with any members of the Legislature about this.”

Granholm Spokeswoman Liz Boyd said that was off-base.

“This is about one thing — growing our economy and creating jobs in this state,” she said. “The Governor is focused on the job she has.”

When asked if the DELEG idea was brought up during energy package negotiations, Pruss said that Granholm was looking at national models of how to best focus on energy. The department will house all activities related to renewable energy and energy efficiency in one department in an effort to grow the energy sector and create jobs in Michigan.

Pruss acknowledged that some states are ahead of Michigan in the energy game, as it was the 27th state to adopt a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). “We have ground to make up,” he said.

But he noted that Granholm has been “pushing alternative energy for a very long time.” He noted bright spots with new investments by Hemlock Semiconductor and United Solar Ovonics.

“The new energy economy is, singularly, Michigan’s greatest opportunity to create thousands of new jobs, attract new investment and diversify our economy,” Granholm said. “By consolidating the state’s energy efforts, we will create an efficient alignment of all the state’s tools and resources to focus with laser-like precision on leading the nation in the new evolving energy sectors.”

Pruss declined to answer if DLEG will employ new staff, but stressed this “isn’t creating a new department. We’ll do everything as economically and efficiently as possible.” DLEG has 4,000 employees and $1.3 billion budget. Pruss has to be confirmed by the Senate.

Pruss served as special advisor to the Governor on renewable energy and the environment. Prior to joining the executive office, he served as deputy director for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), where he oversaw the environmental services and science, water quality, and land and water management divisions.

He began his 30-year tenure in state government as an assistant attorney general, ultimately serving as the assistant attorney general-in-charge of the Consumer Protection, Anti-Trust and Charitable Trust Division. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University School of Law and lives in St. Johns.

Granholm said the reorganization and the partnership with NextEnergy will allow the state to build strong, collaborative relationships with the private sector and state universities and community colleges, coordinate efforts across state government — eliminating redundancies and inefficiencies — and create new opportunities for our research and development centers.

The reorganization will include the No Worker Left Behind green jobs training initiatives; Michigan’s new energy efficiency building code; the Public Service Commission and energy efficiency programs; the Office of Sustainability; the Renewable Fuels Commission; and the State Energy Office, all working in tandem with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) tax incentives and attraction efforts.

Another goal of the department would be to help spur advanced technology development, such as the coming plug-in hybrid known as the Chevy Volt.

Under the executive order, DELEG will take over renewable fuels development and “greening” programs like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which assists communities in fostering environmentally sustainable construction. Those programs have been the respective responsibility of the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Executive Order 2008-20 stands unless rejected by the state Senate and House of Representatives. It takes effect Dec. 28.

Keith Cooley to head NEXT Energy

Keith Cooley, former Director of the Department of Labor and Economic will be the new CEO of NEXT Energy. He replaces Jim Croce who left earlier this year.

At a news conference announcing the reorganization of the department Governor Granholm praised Cooley: “Keith Cooley has provided important leadership in helping our economic plan benefit from channeling both the quality of our workforce and the demand to new workforce development initiatives, such as No Worker Left Behind,” Granholm said.

Cooley stepped into the DLEG void after Lansing Community College head Paula Cunningham accepted the job and then had to back out, as her contract forbade her from coming on board. She was to replace David Hollister.

“Keith’s NextEnergy appointment will allow us to seize the opportunities available in the private energy sector. And no one is more capable of being the state’s chief energy officer than Skip Pruss, who knows more about the future of this sector than most anyone in the state.”

Cooley previously was CEO of Focus: HOPE, a Detroit civil and human rights organization. In 1997, Cooley founded Principia, Inc., a consulting company dedicated to helping organizations manage crisis and critical change. He later joined Motorola Corp. as Director, Telematics International Sales, GM account, in 2001.

Cooley began his professional career in 1968 as an experimental physicist with General Electric Corp. He joined General Motors in 1972 as a project engineer, rising to engineering director for Cadillac Motor Division in 1985 and Director, Strategic Planning, for the GM Corporate Communications Staff in 1994.

MSEC Meetings

The MSEC Board of Directors will meet on Monday, November 10, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the Michigan Farm Bureau Offices at 7373 West Saginaw in Lansing.

The General Membership Meeting will follow at 1:30pm at the Michigan Farm Bureau offices.

Legislative Meetings

House Meetings Scheduled (Includes House and Joint Committees)
Energy and Technology (11/6/2008)
Energy and Technology (11/12/2008) Cancelled
New Economy and Quality of Life (11/6/2008)

Senate Meetings Scheduled (Includes Senate and Joint Committees)
Senate Fiscal Agency Board of Governors (11/13/2008)

MSEC Website

The MSEC website address is: www.michigancleanenergy.com Please take a look and tell your colleagues who are not members of MSEC that they can join on line.

If you have any information for the site, or would like to help, contact Andy Such at: ajsuch@comcast.net Thanks again to Rich Vander Veen and the folks at Mackinaw Power for their support of the MSEC website.

NOTE: Any comments, suggestions or questions on this newsletter should be directed to Andy Such, Executive Director at 517-202-1786 or ajsuch@comcast.net

For more information contact:

Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition

124 West Allegan, Suite 1210

Lansing, MI 48933

517-202-1786