Insider Intelligence

The U.P. Energy Task Force submitted their plan to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, containing 16 recommendations aimed at improving affordability, enhancing reliability, and promoting energy security for residents of the Upper Peninsula. It includes actions the governor, legislature, and state agencies can take to alter the region’s energy landscape.  Recommendations in the report include: Encourage electric […]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Katherine Peretick to serve as a commissioner on the Michigan Public Service Commission. She currently serves as director of engineering at an energy storage project developer.  Prior to that worked in several companies in various roles including engineering manager and a mechanical engineer. In 2020, she was named to the […]

Sponsored by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, a survey was conducted of local governments in order to better understand local officials’ perceptions of the costs, benefits, and likelihood of collaboratively engaging in sustainability activities. The survey also looked at recycling programs. The survey results include: 44% have considerable interest in pursuing collaborations […]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer took executive action that aims to put Michigan on a path towards becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2050.  According to the governor, her plan protects public health and the environment, while helping to develop new clean energy jobs. Executive Directive 2020-10 formally sets the goal of economic decarbonization in Michigan by 2050. To […]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer designated current Michigan Public Service Commissioner (MPSC) Dan Scripps to serve as chair of the MPSC. He has served on the commission since his appointment by Governor Whitmer in February 2019. Prior to that he worked for the Energy Foundation and also served as a state representative. Commissioner Scripps replaces Sally Talberg […]

Legislation introduced this week aims to help schools and colleges save money on their electricity bills. Under the proposal, introduced by Representative John Reilly (R-Oakland Twp.), K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities, could buy electricity from any provider they chose. Currently, many educational institutions do not have the option to capitalize on potential savings through […]

An explanation of how electricity is transmitted throughout the Upper Peninsula is on the agenda for the next meeting of the U.P. Energy Task Force on June 9. Presentations will center around the current state of electrical transmission in the U.P. from power producers to end users. Following the presentations, and a work session, there […]

The U.P. Energy Task Force will begin its broad analysis of the Upper Peninsula’s current and future energy needs during the panel’s online public meeting on Tuesday, May 12. They will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon using Microsoft Teams, allotting time for public comment about the challenges and potentials for energy available in the […]