LANSING - More intense, heavier rainfall has become prevalent in Michigan in recent years, which pushes out more trash, microorganisms, sewage and other nutrients into Michigan waterways. That adds stress to the state's already aging drains and the Great Lakes. Rainfall is not only heavier, it's faster when it's on the ground, making it difficult
EAST LANSING – Tom Lyons has been named director of the Michigan State University Product Center. He is also a professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. “The Product Center has played an important role in the food, agriculture and natural resources economy in Michigan,” said Ron Hendrick, dean of the College
ANN ARBOR - In an effort to make safer, longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries for technologies like electric vehicles, smartphones and laptops, a University of Michigan startup has formed a $1.5 million joint venture with two major players in the industry. Ann Arbor-based Elegus Technologies recently announced their new partnership with Michigan-based lithium-ion battery manufacturing companies XALT
DETROIT - DTE Energy announced Thursday it will invest up to $1.5 billion in gas-turbine plants to replace coal-fired plants that the utility plans to retire by 2023. The gas-turbine plants will provide approximately 1,000 megawatts of energy, enough to power 850,000 homes. One project is expected to be located on existing DTE property adjacent to
SOUTHFIELD – A Lawrence Technological University professor is working with government officials to make stormwater management systems greener and more sustainable for communities across the Great Lakes. The way LTU Professor Donald Carpenter explains it, “green infrastructure” is using nature to manage rainfall instead of traditional “gray infrastructure” – concrete and pipes. Under a $120,000
GRAND RAPIDS - West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and GreenHome Institute are hosting a joint open house at the Odom Reusable Building Materials Grand Rapids location to provide an opportunity for its respective memberships and other interested parties to network and learn about renewable building materials. Odom is a full service salvage, deconstruction and retail building
LANSING - Michigan’s net metering and solar program increased 20 percent in 2015 from the year before, reports a new study released Monday by the Michigan Public Service Commission Monday. Under a net metering program, when customers produce electric energy in excess of their needs, power is provided back to the serving utility, permitting the
LANSING - The Public Service Commission on Thursday authorized the Upper Peninsula Power Company to increase its electric rates, but by an amount 30.4 percent lower than the utility had requested. Also, because the final amount approved ($4,647,975 annually) is lower than the more than $6.2 million the utility self-implemented in March, the PSC said
ANN ARBOR - Converting human urine into a safe fertilizer for agricultural crops is the goal of a new $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation. University of Michigan engineering researchers lead the project, and they'll work with colleagues at the Vermont-based Rich Earth Institute, U-M School of Natural Resources and Environment, U-M School
LANSING - Payments made to the regional electric operator overseeing Michigan's power to keep the White Pine electric generator in the Upper Peninsula running will be eliminated within 90 days, the Michigan Agency for Energy said Thursday, saving UP electric ratepayers about $7 million a year through June 2018. Customers of Upper Peninsula Power Company,
