DENVER - It's estimated that in the next 20 years, the United States will invest $2 trillion into the infrastructure of its aging utilities, a former chair of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission told reporters on Wednesday, and it would be wise of utilities to spend that money wisely, on renewable energy resources. "This will
HOLLAND - A West Michigan manufacturing startup has taken the international packaging industry by storm creating an eco-friendly divider that's generating as much buzz in the business as bubble wrap did a half century ago. ITB Packaging LLC ? the original name was The Box Packaging ? makes lower cost, flexible package dividers made of
BOYNE CITY ? Picturesque Charlevoix County long noted as a tourist haven now has a new designation ? it has been recognized as a "Connected" community through its comprehensive broadband action plan. The Connected program, led by the non-profit?s state affiliates, supports the building of a comprehensive action plan for a connected community by reviewing
LANSING - Michigan is the 7th worst state in the nation when it comes to exposing residents to toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants, according to an analysis released today in Michigan by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The NRDC-compiled data show: * Michigan?s electric sector ranked 7th in industrial toxic air pollution in
LANSING ? Michigan customers would have to pay $87 up front and $15 a month, but they would be able to opt out of having a new advanced meter transmit information to Detroit Edison, the company said in a filing to the Public Service Commission on Wednesday. The charges, officials said in the filing, would
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The first half of 2012 set the record for the highest-ever fuel efficiency for new passenger vehicles entering the U.S. market, according to industry analysts Baum & Associates. The country reached this record mile per gallon (MPG) level without relying on higher small car sales ? a significant shift from a pattern
KALAMAZOO - mophie, which has developed its portable power pack for the iPhone, announced the exciting expansion of its facilities to Western Michigan University's innovative business park. The company will build a 30,000-square-foot facility to house its rapidly increasing North American distribution functions. "mophie's foundational roots are in Michigan, so the opportunity to have a
ANN ARBOR - Despite being challenged by bad weather conditions along the way, the University of Michigan Solar Car Team has won the 2012 American Solar Challenge with their car Quantum for a fourth consecutive American title ? and broken the current national record. The 8-day, biennial 1,650-mile competition for solar-powered vehicles started in Rochester,
JACKSON - Consumers Energy estimates that more than 2,300 of its customers have sought approximately $1 million as victims of a nationwide utility bill payment scam that surfaced in Michigan earlier this month. However, there is no such money available from the federal government and customers may believe they have paid their bills when in
DEARBORN - The new Ford C-MAX Energi is expected to achieve more than 20 miles of electric-only range ? nearly double the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid ? and a 550-mile overall range to become the first hybrid vehicle ever that can be driven from Sacramento to San Diego on a single tank of gas and