Energy
MiWaterNet monitors quality of northern Michigan streams
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This network provides valuable, real time data on a stream’s water quality, level and temperature.
Energy
Ann Arbor developers create solar neighborhood
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Each home will have all-electric appliances powered by solar panels. They will be built with sustainably harvested wood.
Agriculture
Federal regulations hinder farming with drones
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Michigan farmers across the state say that the use of drones could revolutionize farming, but researchers working with drones say federal laws fail to meet their needs.
Echo
A new EPA app aims to help track water quality at beaches
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A new Environmental Protection Agency mobile app will help communities track water quality at their beaches.
Echo
Waste reduction app diverts food from landfills
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Despite setbacks from the pandemic, a food waste reduction company has diverted over 50 million pounds of food from landfills.
Catch of the Day
Drone businesses become more specialized
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Many drone pilots who started a business to provide photo and video services to clients of all types now are specializing.
Water
EPA app targets mobile algae forecasting
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New EPA app maps algal blooms to warn water managers, help control health risks and educate the public.
Land
New online tool opens historic maps database to the public
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The new USGS topoView app allows anyone to access and download topographic maps — nearly 180,000 of them — dating back to the 1880s.
Echo
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.
Echo
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.