The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)on June 19 approved a request by Midwest Energy for waivers from certain code of conduct rules - with one exception - to enable the co-op to deploy high-speed internet in unserved and underserved parts of Michigan. "Michigan is a national leader in expanding broadband access, adoption and use," said MPSC Chairman John D. Quackenbush. "Today's order allows Midwest [...]
Bylaws changes that were proposed in the May issue of Country Lines magazine were approved by a vote of 32 to 29 at Ontonagon County REA’s annual meeting on June 21. Most of the changes were basic language updates, but more significant ones included elimination of member voting by proxy; putting clarity in the Joint Membership, Member Responsibilities, and Right-of-Way Easement sections; adding a [...]
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. (June 14-19). There were approximately 1,800 students participating from across the country, and Michigan was represented by 18 students from eight electric co-ops, including Cherryland, Cloverland, Great Lakes, HomeWorks, Midwest, Presque Isle Electric & Gas, Thumb and Wolverine. While in Washington, the Michigan students traveled with a local tour [...]
MECA CEO Craig Borr has been appointed to the Senate Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Workgroup that will make recommendations for improving the Clean, Renewable and Energy Efficient Act (P.A. 295) regulations. MPSC commissioner Sally Talberg and a mix of environmental and utility representatives are also in the workgroup, which plans to wrap their assignment sometime this fall.
Cloverland is extending an invitation to employees from sister co-ops to tour their hydroelectric plant on the St. Mary’s River, June 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Sault Ste. Marie. It’s a family affair, with free hot dogs and popcorn, prize drawings, artifact and historical photo displays, a video presentation, and a tools-of-the-trade exhibit, equipment display, and LSSU Aquatic Lab tours. Visit their [...]
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jo Ann Emerson commented June 2 on the latest round of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions for power plants. “Americans count on affordable and reliable energy to power our communities, promote job and economic growth, and keep costs in line for the basic necessities in our family budgets. New EPA regulations that add [...]
MSU Extension is reminding Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) applicants to apply for grant dollars and low interest loans to help implement energy conservation practices by 4:30 p.m., July 31, 2014. REAP funds must be used to buy a renewable energy system, such as: Wind Solar Biomass/biofuel Anaerobic digester Geothermal Hydro Or energy efficiency improvements, including: Freezer & cooler upgrades Lighting, window & plumbing [...]
The 6th Annual Curt Knierim Memorial Run will be June 28 (8 a.m., EDT) in Newberry, Mi. The Cloverland Electric Co-op lineman/supervisor lost his life in an electricity-related accident in 2008, but he left a legacy of keeping kids active and out of trouble by being an avid fan, coach and organizer of local youth athletics for over 20 years. Even after his kids [...]
Sen. Bruce Caswell presents a resolution to Robin Creel, widow of Consumers Energy employee Jeff Creel, killed while working along the roadway. Consumers Energy retiree Frank Coolbaugh, left, looks on. Photo-Consumers Energy As Michigan motorists prepared to hit the road for Memorial Day, utilities and others working alongside those roads are reminding drivers to slow down in utility work zones. Over 12 [...]
Art Thayer, MECA’s energy efficiency programs director, was elected May 21 to the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Board of Directors. “This partnership with the Alliance will help our electric co-ops because it is the largest voice advocating for change in energy optimization targets and policies – especially policies that don’t recognize the member-owned uniqueness of co-ops and how they operate,” Thayer explains. The [...]
