energy

Former oil executive now advocate for alternative energy

Current State — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:35:00 +0000

What should America’s energy future be, and how do we hammer out an environmentally conscious national energy security plan for the future?

MSU students launch fossil free campaign

Current State — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:59:29 +0000

Environmentalists trying to get Michigan State University to curtail coal-generated power are announcing a new tactic today. The MSU Sierra Student Coalition is launching the MSU Fossil Free campaign. The effort is an attempt to get the university to divest millions of endowment dollars the coalition says are invested in the fossil fuel industry. Callie Bruley, an MSU student and a coordinator of MSU Beyond Coal, and Brad Van Guilder, who represents the Michigan Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal effort, discuss the MSU Fossil Free campaign.

Water-energy nexus in the Great Lakes Basin

Current State — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:46:58 +0000

Current State #24 | February 14, 2013

Current State — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:14:25 +0000

Today on Current State: Michigan's energy future; Michigan radio legend Mike Whorf talks about life and love songs; MSU research on cyberbullying; a Public Poetry Announcement featuring Jack Gilbert; and Michigan farmers voice their concerns.

State seeks public input on Michigan's energy future

Current State — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:49:53 +0000

What should Michigan’s long-range priorities be regarding energy? Governor Rick Snyder and other state officials want to know.

This Thursday afternoon in Lansing is the public’s first chance to make its voice heard at a forum being held at the State Library. Next December, the Governor plans to issue a comprehensive set of recommendations based in part on the forums.

Today on Current State, three guests with different perspectives discuss the energy issue.

Winter Natural Gas Heating Bills Likely To Rise

The Associated Press — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:13:29 +0000

Michigan utility regulators say residential heating bills for natural gas users are expected to be slightly higher this winter due to likely increased consumption.

Enviro Group: MSU Study Shows Economic Benefits of More Renewable

Mark Bashore — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 22:32:30 +0000

An environmental group says Michigan's economy would get a boost if it relied more on renewable energy sources.

reWorking Michigan: Lansing's Energy Future May Be Up In The Air

Kevin Lavery — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Last week, Mayor Virg Bernero announced that a series of small wind turbines would be installed on the roofs of City Hall and the Lansing Center in June. Generating electrical power from wind energy is part of Michigan’s overall renewable energy strategy. But there’s some debate as to whether the urban core is the best laboratory in which to try it out.

MSU Touts Newly Adopted Energy Transition Plan

Kevin Lavery — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:27:04 +0000

Michigan State University is explaining its new energy transition plan to a potentially global audience.

MI Regulator Downplays Link Between Fracking, Quakes

Mark Bashore — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

In a new study, the U.S. Geological Survey shows an increasing correlation between Midwest energy drilling and earthquakes. WKAR’s Mark Bashore spoke with Michigan's top energy drilling regulator, State Geologist Hal Fitch, about the study.

MSU Trustees Unanimously Approve Controverisal Energy Transition Plan

Scott Pohl — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:47:35 +0000

President Lou Anna Simon says the goal is for 100% of the university’s energy to come from renewable sources.

MSU Trustees Face Decision on Campus Clean Energy Plan

Kevin Lavery — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees faces a pivotal decision today. The board will decide whether to approve a strategic clean energy plan that would eventually transition the campus to 100 percent renewable energy. The plan calls for MSU to produce 15 percent of its energy from renewables in just three years.

The plan has been staunchly opposed by student environmental groups at MSU, who claim it’s not strong enough to effect any real change. They’re also critical of the fact that the vision does not include scrapping the university’s coal-fired power plant.