Energy

Clean energy would bring jobs, health and money, according to report

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By Brian Bienkowski

Thousands of jobs, millions of dollars and a more stable climate are possible if Illinois aggressively pursues clean energy, according to a report released by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The peer-reviewed report, dubbed “Bright Future for the Heartland,” predicts what would happen if Midwestern states reached two goals: produced 30 percent of its electricity supply from renewables by 2030; and reduced power consumption 2 percent every year starting in 2015. The goals came from policy recommendations that were given to Midwestern state governors in 2009 by an advisory board.(“Energy Roadmap”)

In 2007, Illinois mandated that 25 percent of the state’s power supply be renewable by 2025, and power consumption must drop 2 percent annually.  While a step in the right direction, the report claims the Prairie State stands to gain more by shooting for the Energy Roadmap targets. By 2030, Illinois would add 8,400 jobs, lower energy bills by $4.7 billion and see $4.5 billion in new capital investment with stricter clean energy policies, according to the report. The jobs would come from renewable energy manufacturing, installation, and maintenance – the kind of labor base abundant in Illinois.

Energy

Power plan would promote renewable energy

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By Emily Lawler
Nov. 8, 2009

LANSING, Mich. — Turning sunshine into money isn’t a new concept, but it may become a more profitable one in Michigan. A proposed “feed-in tariff” plan would allow individuals and businesses to generate renewable power and sell it to utility companies with a guaranteed “reasonable profit” of 10 to 30 percent. “It ensures you’re going to cover your cost and not lose money,” said Stanley Pruss, director of the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

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Muskegon’s Newkirk Electric part of nation’s largest solar plant

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(MI) Muskegon Chronicle – A Muskegon contractor played a major role in building the nation’s largest commercial solar energy plant, which was to be visited by President Barack Obama today.Obama was to tour the Desoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center near Arcadia, Fla., touting alternative energy policies. The 27-megawatt, $152 million Florida Power & Light operation was built in part by Newkirk Electric of Muskegon. More

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Illinois Solar Tour aims to show how systems can have impact

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(IL) Chicago Tribune – Jim Camasto, a Naperville homeowner who installed two kinds of solar energy systems in his home over the last few years, is generating so much power from those sources on some days that he sells the excess back to the city and gets credit toward his electric bill. Though not completely off the local power grid, Camasto and his wife, Kath, slashed their energy costs to about $1,000 last year compared with about $2,000 in 2001 before switching over to their new alternative energy sources. More

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Solar energy moving in Michigan, but slowly

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By Joe Vaillancourt
Capital News Service
The University of Michigan competes with a prestigious solar car team. Start-up solar projects in Lansing and at Michigan State University (highlighted in the video to the right) show the potential of solar power in the state. Even signs along Michigan’s freeways are powered by the sun. Despite such advances in efficiency, experts say solar energy and self-sufficient homes aren’t in Michigan’s near future–and not because of weather. Costs, among other concerns, remain too high for most consumers.

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Five more solar job openings in Midland

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(MI) The Mudpuppy – A new Evergreen Solar facility in Midland is hiring, again.The company has posted openings for five jobs so far this month. The openings are for three process technicians and two production shift supervisors.  The plant will make a patented product called String Ribbon for use in photovoltaic panels. More

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With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of ‘Renewable Energy’

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(NY) The New York Times – The definition of renewable energy seems clear cut: The sun continues to shine, so solar energy is renewable. The wind continues to blow, so wind turbines churn out renewable power. But industries are now pushing to have a growing number of other technologies categorized as renewable – or at least as environmentally advantageous. They include nuclear power plants and the burning of garbage and even the waste from coal mines. More

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Michigan’s solar industry feels global credit crunch

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(MI) The Detroit News – The once bright forecast for Michigan’s solar industry has turned hazy. The credit crunch has dulled demand for solar products with many buyers unable to secure financing to complete their orders. And the sluggish market has stunted the growth of this fledgling renewable energy industry, causing some Michigan solar companies that make equipment for turning sunlight into electricity to trim workers, cut back on production and apply the brakes to aggressive expansions. Energy Conversion Devices, whose solar division, United Solar Ovonic, makes thin-film cells and laminates used in rooftop construction, is feeling the fallout, with inventory piling up and workers at its Michigan plants in Auburn Hills and Greenville on a three- to four-week furlough. More

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Michigan-made windspires designed for homeowners

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By Gabriel Goodwin
Capital News Service

MasTech Manufacturing L.L.C. and Mariah Power have come together, in Manistee, to produce windspires allowing Michigan to move closer to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s renewable energy goals. Mariah Power is spending $2 million to buy steel for the windspire production and hire 140 workers over the next three years, while MasTech is investing $1.5 million into the manufacturing site to update and retrofit equipment. Granholm said, “If you can make a part for a car, if you can bend steel for a car, you can bend steel for a wind turbine or you can make a solar panel. “Demand for wind-energy products will continue to grow as federal initiatives to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil advance.”

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation supported the project with a $400,000 grant. MEDC President Greg Main said, “The partnership between MasTech and Mariah Power demonstrates how we can put Michigan’s strong manufacturing infrastructure to new use making renewable energy products that are in high demand.”

MasTech chose Michigan over other states and foreign sites because of its experienced manufacturers who can apply advanced technology skills, Main said.