Framing Michigan's energy debate

A coalition of advocates for energy innovation in Michigan is pushing a proposal to raise the state's renewable energy goal from 10 to 25 percent by 2025, the Detroit Free Press reports. The article also reveals an interesting choice of messenger to lead the charge:

"This initiative will ultimately save lives by giving Michigan cleaner and healthier air and water, reducing asthma and lung disease, and protecting our Great Lakes," said Joyce Stein, a board member of the Michigan Nurses Association.

Kasich's Energy Sermon

Ohio Governor John Kasich preaches at his energy summit, and Ken Paulman of Midwest Energy News provides the comedic commentary.

Bizzaro energy politics in Michigan

The left-leaning Center for American Progress has high hopes for the energy platform of Michigan's new Republican governor.

The 2010 midterm elections ushered dozens of new climate science deniers into state houses and the U.S. Capitol. Michigan may buck this trend, however. Freshly inaugurated Gov. Rick Snyder supported clean energy policies during last year’s race. Michigan could turn out to be a clean energy bright spot in a disappointing election season if Snyder stays true to his campaign.

Meanwhile, Michigan's Democratic leadership called for the construction of a new coal plant, effectively thumbing their nose at the past eight years of soaring alternative energy rhetoric from former Governor Granholm, a Democrat.

Back to the battery tech future

Jarret Skorup uncovers a doozie of a deja vu quote from a Detroit Free Press story published in 1967:

Companies are searching for a billion-dollar breakthrough in battery design. General Dynamics is working on a zinc-air cell battery. Ford is actively interested in a sodium-sulfur cell. Gulton Industries and General Motors are tinkering with lithium…All the activity is bound to pay off probably within the next five years.

Steel to wind works?

Over at Scientific American, David Biello files this vignette from Braddock, PA as part of the Beyond the Light Switch series.


Keith Schneider investigates and reports a similar story - Midwest Emerges as Clean Energy Center - in yesterday's NY Times.

Lights. Camera. Coal Action.

Tomorrow Progress Michigan announces the winner of their Beyond Coal video contest. Brilliant if CMS Energy Pres David Joos and friends submit an entry.

Yet another nickname for Ohio

Governor Strickland in his 2010 State of the State speech proclaimed Ohio's status as America's Energy Gateway. It was fun while it lasted Buckeye State, Birthplace of Aviation, Mother of Presidents and Heart of It All.