|
|
March 2011
Re-Imagining Detroit with the Green Economy Initiative
Clean Energy Coalition has partnered with Detroit-based NextEnergy to work on the City of Detroit's green economy initiatives. The Kresge Foundation has provided resources enabling the two organizations to work directly with the City on implementing green economy opportunities. The partnership will drive Detroit's aggressive adoption of green technologies, practices, and policies, which will result in reduced costs and improved service levels. Additionally, the project will enhance economic activity and job creation, create benefits of reduced energy use, and enhance environmental quality. The collaboration fosters a strong ethic of environmental sustainability with the goal of Detroit becoming a model for the green transformation of older industrial cities.
Clean Energy Coalition brings expertise working with local governments to offer technical assistance and promote energy efficiency, green policy, and fleet optimization. The CEC/NextEnergy team will offer direct support to City of Detroit staff in the areas of purchasing, municipal solid waste, city building energy efficiency, and city fleet optimization. In addition, CEC will provide program support for pilot projects within the city, as well as regional leadership to convene and connect resources for working groups and community networks.
If you have questions about this initiative, please contact Jenny Oorbeck, Division Manager for Clean Energy Communities.
Relief at the Pump With Two New E85 Stations
 |
|
Jon DeAngelis, General Manager for Corrigan Oil Company |
As gasoline prices continue to rise, drivers are reminded of the high price of our oil addiction and are looking for an alternative. On Tuesday, March 15, Michigan welcomed an alternative at two Corrigan Oil gas stations with E85 pumps. The stations - located in Whitmore Lake and Howell - will now offer consumers E85, a renewable, domestically-produced fuel. With so many advantageous reasons to use ethanol and more than one million flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) sold in the U.S. each year, fuel innovators like Corrigan Oil realize that the demand for ethanol blends continues to increase.
To help facilitate this growing need, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) made Recovery Act funds available for the expansion of ethanol infrastructure across the country. With just over 100 E85 stations throughout the state, Clean Energy Coalition recognized that Michigan would benefit from the addition of ethanol fueling stations. With assistance from the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, CEC secured $200,000 of the DOE Recovery Act grant money for the purpose of expanding ethanol infrastructure in our state. Both Corrigan Oil sites, in addition to three other sites, received funding from the CEC to help install the new E85 pumps. The stations mark the 102nd and 103rd E85 fueling sites in Michigan and are the 3rd and 4th Corrigan Oil sites to install such pumps. To commemorate these great achievements, CEC and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan joined together with the two stations to host grand opening ceremonies.
Clean Energy Coalition is Hiring
Clean Energy Coalition seeks a Project Manager to assist with municipal and local government clean energy projects and programs. Applicants must be proactive, resourceful, and possess exceptional research, analytic, and communication skills. The Project Manager will work closely with other CEC Communities and Structures staff under the guidance of the Division Manager. Applicants must be willing to travel to municipalities to provide on-site project management.
Among other responsibilities, the Project Manager will:
-
Research, develop, and implement municipal energy policies, plans, and programs.
-
Conduct analysis of municipal energy use, energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies.
-
Conduct ongoing evaluation of municipal energy projects and programs and make recommendations for improvements.
Complete application details are available on Clean Energy Coalition's website. |
|
Upcoming Events
 |
Clean Energy Coalition is hosting a special event through its Rebuild Ypsilanti program: Learn from Experience: Improve your Building’s Energy Efficiency with Rebuild Ypsilanti. Rebuild Ypsilanti energy experts work with Ypsilanti-based commercial building owners to reduce energy costs by assisting them with energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations. This FREE meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 from 10:00am - 12:00pm at the Ypsilanti District Library - Whittaker Road Branch (map). Register online; email questions to CEC Project Manager Nick Helmholdt.
Save the date for the Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2011 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College. The Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival is free and open to the public with activities and entertainment for youth are featured, including The Bubble Man, live raptors from the Leslie Science & Nature Center, face-painting, recycled instrument creation, and hands-on activities and crafts that help explore our natural world.
Newsletter Sponsor
|
|
|
Western Michigan Univeristy's Office for Sustainability was created to guide and assist the WMU Community in fulfilling and growing its sustainability commitments. Through building a diverse and flourishing learning community around sustainability, the office continually explores and develops new opportunities to create a culture of sustainability and improve quality of life for all.
With a staff of four, the office works intimately with 10-15 superb interns and staff and faculty from throughout WMU. The Office leads WMU's Climate Action Planning process along with several other initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help build sustainable communities, which include: creating a non-motorized transit master plan, creating a bike co-op, and "oil to mowers," a pilot initiative to explore burning waste oil from campus fryers in a campus diesel lawnmower.
For more information, visit WMU's sustainability website.
|
|
|
