Energy https://www.wcmu.org/tags/energy Energy en-US Copyright Fri, 11 Apr 2025 21:20:13 GMT Why power restoration in northern Michigan is taking so long for some https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-11/why-power-restoration-in-northern-michigan-is-taking-so-long-for-some Going into this weekend, around 20,000 still don't have power nearly two weeks after an ice storm swept across northern Michigan, causing widespread devastation. News Director Rick Brewer spoke with WCMU Reporter AJ Jones about the ongoing power outages across the region, and why rural communities take so long to get back online. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 21:20:13 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-11/why-power-restoration-in-northern-michigan-is-taking-so-long-for-some Alvin (AJ) Jones UP gas generators would be classified as clean energy under bills in state House committee https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-03-25/up-gas-generators-would-be-classified-as-clean-energy-under-bills-in-state-house-committee Republican supporters say the generators use newer, cleaner technologies, and that should allow them to stay in use past deadlines for the state’s clean energy transition. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:46:07 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-03-25/up-gas-generators-would-be-classified-as-clean-energy-under-bills-in-state-house-committee Colin Jackson Feds investigate mineral oil spill following Consumers plant fire https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-02-19/feds-investigate-mineral-oil-spill-following-consumers-plant-fire The U.S. Coast Guard estimates between 10,000 - 13,000 gallons of mineral oil were discharged from an electrical transformer that caught fire Monday afternoon and spread to a power plant outside of Bay City. It's unclear if mineral oil landed in the nearby Saginaw River. Wed, 19 Feb 2025 03:02:18 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-02-19/feds-investigate-mineral-oil-spill-following-consumers-plant-fire Rick Brewer Ontario leader threatens to restrict energy exports to Michigan amid proposed Trump tariff https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-12-18/ontario-leader-threatens-to-restrict-energy-exports-to-michigan-amid-proposed-trump-tariff A Canadian official recently threatened to cut off electricity supplies to the U.S. in response to president-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariff on Canadian products. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:50:27 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-12-18/ontario-leader-threatens-to-restrict-energy-exports-to-michigan-amid-proposed-trump-tariff Teresa Homsi, David Nicholas Consumers Energy to add 100 MW of battery storage, stabilize renewable energy-heavy electric system https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-11-25/consumers-energy-to-add-100-mw-of-battery-storage-stabilize-renewable-energy-heavy-electric-system Consumers Energy says it will have 400 MW of battery energy storage once a new Washtenaw County electric battery storage facility is operational in 2027. Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:57:04 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-11-25/consumers-energy-to-add-100-mw-of-battery-storage-stabilize-renewable-energy-heavy-electric-system Tracy Samilton A new law aims to advance U.S. nuclear power, but some fear it shortchanges safety https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-07-19/a-new-law-aims-to-advance-u-s-nuclear-power-but-some-fear-it-shortchanges-safety On July 9, President Joe Biden signed a bill that among other things will change the mission statement of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:04:14 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-07-19/a-new-law-aims-to-advance-u-s-nuclear-power-but-some-fear-it-shortchanges-safety Michael Symonds Beaver Island takes early steps to test wave energy in its waters https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-06-18/beaver-island-takes-early-steps-to-test-wave-energy-in-its-waters Wave energy converters use the movement of the water to generate electricity. A research team from the University of Michigan will spend the next couple years developing a prototype to install in the waters off the island. Tue, 18 Jun 2024 21:03:34 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-06-18/beaver-island-takes-early-steps-to-test-wave-energy-in-its-waters Izzy Ross | IPR Solar farming is taking land once used to grow food. Researchers are looking for ways to do both https://www.wcmu.org/2024-06-03/solar-farming-agrivoltaics Solar power is the fastest growing source of electricity in the U.S., but some new solar installations are taking over productive farm ground. Scientists are trying to develop ways to get both calories and kilowatts from the same land, but that’s not as easy as it might seem. Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:15:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/2024-06-03/solar-farming-agrivoltaics Frank Morris Slotkin talks water, mining and energy needs in Traverse City https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-06-04/slotkin-talks-water-mining-and-energy-needs-in-traverse-city U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) spoke mainly about environmental issues in a visit to Traverse City on Friday. The Democrat is running for the open U.S. Senate seat. Tue, 04 Jun 2024 17:26:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-06-04/slotkin-talks-water-mining-and-energy-needs-in-traverse-city Ellie Katz State continues prep work on new renewable siting law as repeal effort for November ballot fails https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-06-03/state-continues-prep-work-on-new-renewable-siting-law-as-repeal-effort-for-november-ballot-fails The Michigan Public Service Commission has held multiple workgroups with stakeholders as it prepares to begin implementing a new wind and solar permit law in November. Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:11:14 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-06-03/state-continues-prep-work-on-new-renewable-siting-law-as-repeal-effort-for-november-ballot-fails Tracy Samilton