Gov. Rick Snyder’s latest energy plans call for more renewables in the power supply, more energy efficiency, and keeping the existing 10 percent cap on the number of customers who can choose their power supplier. To avoid price spikes and widespread outages, he says the state needs an aggressive plan that moves away from coal and towards using more renewables. “We should not have [...]
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 [...]
Michigan electric co-ops will gather in Grand Rapids, March 30-April 2, for director training, the MECA and Wolverine Power Cooperative annual meetings, and the Power Supply Symposium. Events kickoff on March 30 at Noon with NRECA’s newest Board Leadership Course (BLC) on “Board Succession Planning.” The MECA annual and board of directors meetings will be held March 31, where members will be asked to [...]
Hearings and talk about possible energy policy reform have begun in the Michigan Legislature, with a major energy policy address expected from Gov. Rick Snyder this month. In his January 2015 State of the State address, Snyder said he will put a strong focus on cleaner energy. “If we don’t have new policies in place and implemented, decisions will be made for us in [...]
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 [...]
It’s time to submit entries for MECA’s two Good Neighbor Watch awards that recognize outstanding co-op employees for their contributions and commitment to the co-op principle of “Concern for Community.” The Co-op Community Service Award recognizes outstanding co-op employees for their volunteer service and commitment to the principle of “Concern for Community.” Much of the co-ops’ long history in providing outstanding community leadership is [...]
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 [...]
Great Lakes Energy (GLE) Cooperative employees, along with the help of CoBank, a cooperative lender, recently contributed $21,119 to local United Way agencies throughout the GLE service area. GLE employees participate annually in a United Way campaign by pledging money from their paychecks throughout the year. This year, employee contributions received a $5,000 boost from one of GLE’s lenders, CoBank. Through its Sharing Success [...]
The inaugural "Illuminate the Night" festival took place on Friday, February 6th in downtown Adrian. A section of South Main Street was closed to feature displays and performance art illuminated by light. The evening began with a light parade and featured a fire juggler, light projection on downtown buildings, music, illuminated art pieces and our Touchstone Energy Cooperative hot air balloon. Hundreds of people [...]
