Yearly Archives: 2015

Through the Michigan Energy Office, the Clean Energy Coalition has announced that $20,000 in incentive funding is available to small businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations considering electric vehicle charging infrastructure. To explain the application process, four workshops are being held statewide. Information is available here. Available funding can cover 50 percent, or up to $2,500, of the cost of electric vehicle supply equipment. In [...]

Those familiar words, “Should this proposal be adopted?” will come before Michiganians next on May 5. Proposal 15-1 would amend the State Constitution and dedicate new revenue to fix decaying roads and bridges. The long-term funding plan would also trigger bills into law that benefit K-12 schools, transit and rail projects, local governments, and restore the Earned Income Tax Credit. Funding for the nearly [...]

Nearly 300 high school students from across southwest Michigan got a dose of reality on Feb. 27 as Midwest Energy Cooperative and Southwestern Michigan College teamed up for "It’s Reality," an interactive personal financial management exercise for high school students. The half-day program offered a practical, hands-on experience designed to teach students about budgeting and learning to live within their financial means. Each student [...]

Cloverland's SSR Payments have been reduced from $24 million to $4 million. The battle Cloverland Electric Cooperative is leading to make sure U.P. residents get a fair energy deal is making great strides- but concerns still remain on the bargaining table. Cloverland members don’t receive any electricity from the Presque Isle Power Plant (PIPP), but are being expected to pay millions to keep the [...]

The Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) is applying for a $100,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant that would reduce the cost of agricultural and farm energy audits. The grant is available through the Rural Development section of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the audits would be offered through Michigan State University’s Michigan Agricultural Energy Council (MAEC), which will also help with [...]

Both the Portland and Blanchard branches of HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative hosted their annual Legislative Update breakfasts again this year, Jan. 27-28. Sen. Judy Emmons, Sen. Mike Nofs, and Rep. Mike Callton were the featured speakers, giving employees an update on some of Michigan's current issues. “The legislative breakfast is a great way for employees to get together and see how their tax dollars [...]