Nationwide, 24 states have declared propane shortage emergencies, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), and regional inventories are 43 percent below this time in 2013. This shortage affects about 9 percent of Michiganders using propane as their primary heating fuel, as well as three Michigan electric co-ops that provide propane service. “We have notified all our propane customers of the shortage, and also [...]
A new safety program that would help co-op lineworkers avoid common injuries is being developed by Joe McElroy, MECA safety director, and Heather Johnson, an exercise physiologist from WMU. It focuses on offering a stretching program that would help lineworkers avoid muscle strains. Currently, the program is being tested at Midwest Energy and Holland Board of Public Utilities. McElroy is working with Johnson to [...]
The crippling ice storm that caused power outages for over 500,000 mid-Michigan people during Christmas week affected about 20,450 served by electric co-ops. Co-ops affected most were HomeWorks Tri-County and Thumb Electric, although over 5,000 Great Lakes Energy members were also without power. “At peak, we estimate that over 10,000 of our members were out of power,” says HomeWorks’ General Manager Mark Kappler. The [...]
From the recent launch of its ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action program, Cherryland Electric now has 109 members signed up, with a current total of $3,672 in contributions, reports Rachel Johnson, Cherryland’s grassroots advocate. Member response came largely from an ad last fall in Country Lines magazine and an ACRE bill insert. “All of these members will be receiving a thank-you letter and [...]
Co-op Promotions – Alger Delta’s Troy Tiernan is the co-op’s new operations manager. He ascends to the position after nine years with the co-op and four years of previous experience with contractors and other line constructors. Tiernan’s first priority will be to fill the lineworker position left vacant by his promotion. At Great Lakes Energy, the board has taken action to promote Bill Scott [...]
Gov. Rick Snyder has laid out his vision for a “no regrets” energy future by 2025, calling for an emphasis on eliminating energy waste and replacing coal with newer, cleaner technologies – natural gas and renewables. “Michigan needs an energy policy that ensures we can be adaptable, have energy that is reliable and affordable, and protect our environment,” he said. Snyder’s report laid out [...]
Cloverland Electric Cooperative announced that the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a rate settlement reached between the cooperative, public service commission staff and the City of Mackinac Island, an intervenor in the rate case. The approved $2 million or approximately 2.4 percent increase is about half of the amount requested by the cooperative in its August 2013 rate filing. In May 2010, the [...]
We Energies and Wolverine Power Cooperative announced today the two companies have decided to end their joint venture at the Presque Isle Power Plant. The joint venture would have resulted in joint ownership of the plant by We Energies and Wolverine along with the installation of state-of-the-art emission controls. “Since the time we first agreed that joint ownership of the plant would be beneficial [...]
Wolverine Power Cooperative announced it is ending development of the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture (WCEV) near Rogers City. Proposed in 2006, the WCEV was comprised of a baseload power plant and wind turbine farm. “I am very proud of our efforts on the WCEV,” said Eric D. Baker, president and chief executive officer of Wolverine. “The WCEV project team worked diligently to develop a [...]
Great Lakes Energy members will soon vote on amendments to the co-op’s bylaws that would allow the board of directors to be elected by district. Starting in 2014, the change would involve electing directors from nine geographic districts to create a more equal representation throughout the co-op’s 26-county service area. Currently, nine directors are elected “at-large”, which means they can reside anywhere within the [...]
