By Jeff Kart
This story originally appeared on Mr. Great Lakes and is republished here with permission.
1 — All of Michigan’s electric providers met or exceeded the 10 percent renewable energy standard in 2015.
Michigan’s new renewable standard will increase to 12.5 percent in 2019 and 2020 and 15 percent in 2021.
A Michigan Public Service Commission annual report says meeting the 2015 standard can be credited with the development of more than 1,670 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy projects.
Image: Jeff Hutchison
The average price of existing renewable energy contracts also is considerably less than was forecast in initial renewable energy plans.
The report notes that wind energy has been the primary source of new renewable energy in Michigan and about $3.3 billion has been invested to bring new renewable energy projects online through 2016.
The average cost per megawatt hour for renewable energy also has been substantially lower than the cost of a new coal-fired plant.
2 — The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is taking comments through April 14 for more than 1,200 health-based screening levels used in its Permit to Install Air Permitting Program.
The public comment period is the result of rule revisions that took effect in December and require all screening levels and their origins be posted for public review with comments accepted for 60 days.
The state’s air program aims to protect public health by regulating toxic chemicals in industrial air emissions.
Image: GollyGforce
Under the new rules, the emission of a toxic air contaminant cannot result in a maximum ambient air concentration that exceeds a health-based screening level.
Previously, memos describing the reasons behind screening levels were only available upon request. Now they’re open for review and public comment through April 14.