October 4, 2004

Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chair J. Peter Lark today announced that the Michigan Renewable Energy Program (MREP) will host a free Open Forum from

9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, at Northwestern Michigan College’s new Great Lakes Campus, located at 715 E. Front St., in Traverse City. 

“This Open Forum on the Michigan Renewable Energy Program will give people an opportunity to learn about and discuss the Commission’s ongoing efforts to enhance renewable energy development in Michigan,” said Lark.

“Everyone understands the need to increase renewable energy supplies in the long run,” said Lark.  “Right now, Michigan gets only about 1 or 2 percent of its energy needs from renewable resources.  We are focusing now on how we can increase the use of renewable energy in Michigan, while keeping energy affordable for Michigan utility customers.”

The MREP was formed by the Commission in response to a directive from the state legislature in Michigan’s Customer Choice and Electricity Reliability Act to inform Michigan customers of the availability and value of using renewable energy generation and the potential of reduced pollution.  The program also promotes the use of existing renewable energy sources and encourages the development of new facilities.

“People who attend the MREP Open Form will learn about all the different projects now under consideration,” noted Lark.  “MPSC staff and members of the collaborative process welcome additional ideas and input from the public.”

Immediately following the Forum, the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and Northwestern Michigan College are hosting a renewable energy conference at the same location, from noon to 7:30 p.m., beginning with lunch.  Chairman Lark will deliver welcoming remarks at 12:30 p.m.

The conference will also feature a series of workshops on renewable energy policy and planning; energy efficiency and “green” building techniques; the business of advanced energy technology, including investing and financing; and case studies on renewable energy technology.

The evening program, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will offer introductory seminars for the general public on energy efficiency and renewable resources for residential, small commercial and on-farm applications.   Seminar topics include solar heating and photovoltaics; small-scale wind energy systems; biomass and biodiesel fuels; how to achieve energy savings; energy efficiency and renewable energy mortgages; and green building techniques. 

The conference fee for the lunch and daytime sessions is $75.   The evening session is $20.  The fee for the entire program is $85. 

The conference’s co-sponsors are Harmony Homes, Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, the Michigan Land Use Institute, the Michigan State Energy Office, NextEnergy, Sustainable Systems, the Traverse Area Economic Development Club, Traverse City Home Builders Association, Traverse City Power & Light, and Urban Options. 

More information on the conference is available on the Internet at:  www.glrea.org/education/AltEnergyTechConference101404.html.

For more details on the forum or about renewable energy projects under way in Michigan, contact Tom Stanton at (517) 241-6086.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

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