LANSING - A package of bills aimed at boosting production and use of ethanol and bio-diesel fuels by providing for lower taxes on those fuels and encouraging greater use by state vehicles won unanimous approval by the Senate Thursday. The six-bill package - SB 1074, SB 1075, SB 1076, SB 1077, SB 1077, SB 1078,
LANSING - Michigan now ranks 11th among all states in production of ethanol fuel, but Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared this week her goal of taking the state to the top, beginning with four new ethanol plants now planned or under construction. Granholm made her remarks at a Capitol grounds ceremony hailing a new partnership between
SOUTHFIELD ? Lawrence Technological University's 13.9 million, 42,000 square foot A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center is a testament to the school's commitment to sustainable energy design. The center's architect, Joe Veryser, said the idea of turning the facility into a living laboratory for architectural and engineering students came up early in the design process.
DETROIT - Visitors will have an opportunity to explore the future of energy first-hand when The New Detroit Science Center hosts a day-long event of hands-on activities, alternative-power demos, rides and special energy challenge team appearances on Earth Day April 22. The event is organized in association with General Motors, Lockheed Martin and NASA -
LANSING - Michigan Public Service Commission Chair Peter Lark will spend the next eight months coordinating creation of a comprehensive energy plan for the state under an executive directive issued Thursday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. The new 21st Century Energy Plan will verify the power use assumptions by the PSC's Capacity Needs Forum Report and
DETROIT - FEV Engine Technology showed a number of fuel-saving technologies at the Society of Automotive Engineers Congress in Detroit, this week. The German-based company that has its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills is heavily involved in the research and development of new alternative fuel technologies. FEV is an independent engine and powertrain systems
DETROIT - Hybrid advocates trumpet the environmental benefits of the gas-electric vehicles. But a new study says that the overall energy picture for hybrid vehicles isn?t as favorable as it seems. CNW Marketing Research, of Bandon, Oregon, says that when the total cost of hybrids to the environment is calculated, including factors like recycling batteries
LANSING - A package of alternative fuel legislation cleared the House Thursday, with members of both parties saying the bills are a critical first step in relieving dependence on oil. The legislation will provide renaissance zone tax credits for alternative energy facilities (HB 5752), grants for fueling stations to convert pumping stations to alternative fueling
DETROIT - NextEnergy will host a conference on March 22 that will focus on driving technologies, fuels and funding for cleaner air. The Michigan Clean Fleet Conference is a one-day event aimed at educating fleet managers on how to address current environmental and energy challenges by incorporating new technologies and alternative fuels into their operations.
DETROIT - Recent reports have suggested that Honda is having second thoughts about hybrid powertrains. It?s fair to say that CEO Takeo Fukui isn?t rushing to fill the automaker?s lineup with the high-mileage technology ? at least not yet. While he told TheCarConnection.com hybrids have great potential, he stressed that it will be hard to