Latest news with #MIHealthyClimatePlan
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DNR halts state land leases for utility-scale solar projects
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will continue its halt on any new utility-scale solar projects on state-managed forestlands as it works on a framework for how to consider such projects. The policy change was made quietly earlier this month, without a public announcement. DNR spokesman Ed Golder said the agency made the policy change known via a May 9 email from DNR Director Scott Bowen to "a number of interested groups and to legislators who have contacted us" about a controversial proposal to lease 420 acres of state-managed forest land near Gaylord for a solar development in Otsego County's Hayes Township. That project, which raised some public ire over the removal of acres of trees to make way for a private company's solar panels, was scuttled when the company involved, RWE Clean Energy out of San Diego, decided not to pursue additional development on the state land in Hayes Township. But the DNR in January proceeded to pursue a request for proposals to lease the land and evaluate its viability for solar, possibly with another company. In his May 9 email, Bowen announced that the DNR "will not move forward" with utility-scale solar development on the 420 acres in Hayes Township. "The DNR made this decision following a four-month public comment period, and consultation with legislators and interested groups," Bowen stated. "We heard a significant amount of concern from the public, stakeholders and some lawmakers regarding the prospect of siting solar panels on 420 acres of partially forested land." Bowen added that DNR "will maintain a pause on any new utility-scale solar projects on state forestlands" until the agency develops "a specific framework for decision making if leasing lands for additional solar development were to be considered in the future." "As part of this framework, the DNR will solicit input from local communities and lawmakers early in the process if solar development is being considered," he stated. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's MI Healthy Climate Plan, an effort to combat human-driven climate change enacted in 2020, calls for 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 and 60% renewable energy in Michigan by 2030. How reachable those goals will be without state land involvement to build large solar farms is uncertain. "I think there are potential avenues to meet those goals, but it certainly becomes a lot harder if you take these publicly managed lands off the table," said Ashley Rudzinski, climate and environment program director with the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, a Traverse City-based nonprofit organization with goals to "protect the environment, strengthen the economy, and build thriving communities." The center on its website is urging Michigan residents to ask the state to continue support solar leasing on public lands. "There's a fairly strong precedent for using lands that are already disturbed or marginal lands," Rudzinski said. "We're not talking pristine forestlands here; we are talking areas that are adjacent to highways or industrial sites. "We have to recognize that for us to combat the challenges that are very real that we are facing with the climate crisis, we need to be able to make some of these challenging decisions ... including using some of these already disturbed lands for these types of practices." More: Democrats' clean energy legislation sets up battle over local land use control More: As some neighbors seek to close it, Wayne Disposal hazardous waste landfill looks to expand State Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, was among the first to sound public alarms over the proposed Hayes Township state forestland being used for utility-scale solar, prompting an outcry. He said DNR forestry officials contacted him in the days leading up to Bowen's May 9 email, and Borton said he was told the DNR was stopping solar project siting on state forest lands altogether. "The memo (DNR Director Bowen) made is nothing like what we talked about," Borton said. "I am extremely unhappy at this point, and I made it very clear to the department: There will be no more solar going up on publicly owned lands." The DNR manages 4.6 million acres of public land for uses including forestry, public recreation, hunting, fishing and wildlife habitat management. The agency historically has leased portions of public lands for a variety of perceived public goods, including industrial development. "Lands managed by the DNR host hydrocarbon processing facilities, pipelines and flowlines, mines, sand and gravel pits, an asphalt plant and cell phone towers," Bowen stated in his May 9 memo. The state has pledged to use no more than 4,000 acres of state-managed public land for solar development, and Bowen noted that some 350,000 acres of state-managed land is currently leased for gas an oil wells. Since 1928, more than 10,000 drilling permits have been issued on state-managed forestland. "With the state shifting toward more renewable energy options the DNR is seeking to be part of the state's transition to cleaner energy," Bowen stated. But oil and gas development and utility-scale solar farms are not analogous, Borton said. "I live in northern Michigan, there are gas sites all over, including next to the property I own," he said. "Those gas sites take up almost no property whatsoever. They are not fenced in; they are not blocked off. They do not stop wildlife from passing through." Borton said degraded state sites like brownfields or small solar projects at state fish hatcheries to provide energy to the facilities may still make sense. But "any industrial projects where they are coming in and clearing forest, I'm going to be opposed to it," he said. Two utility-scale solar projects already in the works on state-managed property will continue, Bowen stated: the Groveland mine tailings site, a 264-acre site in the Upper Peninsula's Dickinson County; and the Roscommon Conservation Airport site, on 1,050 acres of DNR-managed public land in Roscommon County's Higgins Township near Interstate 75 and the DNR Conservation Airport. The maximum buildable area for solar panels on that project would be 570 acres, DNR officials earlier said. Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DNR halts state land leases for utility-scale solar projects
Fast Company
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Fast Company
These old industrial sites in Michigan are toxic—but they could become a solar gold mine
Michigan has 24,000 known contaminated sites, a legacy of heavy manufacturing where industries carelessly discarded hazardous materials with minimal regulatory oversight. Taxpayers are often left to clean up these abandoned locations, known as brownfields, while the sheer volume of toxic sites has overwhelmed state regulators. With a little effort, these spaces can be more than a permanent blight on the landscape. Kelly Thayer, senior policy advocate with the state's Environmental Law & Policy Center, envisions a future where Michigan's brownfields are transformed into sites for diverse solar energy projects. The potential for new solar siting in Michigan aligns with growing nationwide support of the technology, according to a survey co-led by the University of Michigan. Among residents living within three miles of solar energy developments, positive opinions about the projects outnumbered negative ones by almost a 3-to-1 ratio. For the study, a large-scale solar project was defined as a ground-mounted photovoltaic system that generates one megawatt or more of direct current. The majority of respondents lived near new greenfield solar sites—'disturbed' industrial locations or retiring coal plants were strongly preferred for solar development over forests or productive farmland. Thayer, from Frankfort on the shores of Lake Michigan, said there is already precedent for solar on former industrial land in his home state. A 120-megawatt solar array on a long-vacant mining operation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, for example, was met by residents with little controversy. Yet, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources proposal to transition a former oil-and-gas plot in Gaylord to solar energy was met with substantial public backlash in January. Following resident protests against tree and grassland removal for the solar array, the agency extended the public comment period and halted state land leases for solar projects. This limbo period gives Michigan a chance to readjust its solar siting approach, with an emphasis on distressed lands that would allow the technology to flourish, Thayer said. 'The work now is to chart the near-term future of how Michiganders get their energy,' said Thayer, whose advocacy group focuses on renewable energy and clean transportation solutions for the Midwest. 'This can be talked about through the lens of climate or the environment, but the public health ramifications are enormous as well.' A Vital Asset Last year, the state of Michigan won a $129 million grant from the EPA for utility-scale renewable energy projects, including those on brownfields. These 'orphan' industrial plots—landfills, auto plants and other properties left to molder by private industry—are vital assets for a state seeking to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, noted Thayer. Michigan aims to be a national climate action leader, driven by Governor Gretchen Whitmer's 2050 carbon neutrality goals. Among the tenets of the MI Healthy Climate Plan is streamlining the siting process for wind, solar and battery storage projects. State legislation like Senate Bill 277, meanwhile, includes solar facilities as a permitted use for farmers under the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act. Thayer's organization, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, also views retiring coal plants as potential solar energy hubs, considering that they are already connected to the energy grid. For instance, the organization helped develop a blueprint for the Dan E. Karn coal plant site, slated as the future home for an 85-megawatt solar energy site expected to be operational in 2026. 'These are flat, highly-disturbed sites that also have a substation in place that's hard-wired to the grid,' Thayer said. 'Having that infrastructure saves millions in development, and saves time because it takes four or five years to add new energy resources to the grid.' Some Michigan clean energy projects are hindered by years-long grid connection delays as well as restrictive zoning ordinances that impede their development. In addition, Michigan lacks a comprehensive database of brownfields that detail key characteristics sought by solar developers, said Julie Lowe, brownfield coordinator for the remediation and redevelopment division of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). 'Developers will have to use multiple resources to site projects on known sites of contamination,' said Lowe. 'They need databases for tree canopy cover, or have to do site reconnaissance to eyeball the slope and see if it fits their needs.' An Array of Solar Options EGLE does offer a list of guidelines for anyone asking to purchase a contaminated property for renewable energy development. Prospective buyers must conduct a two-phase Baseline Environmental Assessment before moving ahead with a project. Due diligence may encompass a deep dive into a site's former use, as well as comprehensive testing of soil or groundwater samples. 'You may have to go back to the 19th century to determine what the property was used for,' Lowe said. 'And there might be drilling or radar work needed to see if there's something in the ground. For brownfields, we see solvents [in the soil] for dry cleaning or auto repair, because those were chemicals used in those activities.' Various brownfield incentives and programs may subsidize environmental remediation or any additional assessment a site requires, added Lowe. EGLE's Brownfield Tax Increment Financing utilizes the rise in tax revenue from a revitalized site to reimburse developers for the cleanup and demolition work that generated that increase. That is not to say developers should always foot the bill, said Thayer. A series of 'polluter pay' laws—which force parties responsible for contamination to pay for site cleanup and remediation costs—are currently being proposed by Michigan lawmakers. Thayer also advocates for virtual power plant programs, enabling utilities to pay homeowners with solar and battery storage to contribute stored power during peak demand. Community solar, which involves installing arrays on vacant lots or working farmlands, can be another multibillion-dollar boon for Michigan, said Thayer. According to a 2021 study by Michigan State University, community solar could deliver a nearly $1.5 billion boost to the state's economy over the next 30 years. For now, Michigan officials should prioritize cleaning up and advancing solar energy projects on the state's innumerable polluted brownfields, said Sarah Mills, a University of Michigan researcher who directs the Center for EmPowering Communities at the Graham Sustainability Institute. 'I go to meetings about large renewables projects, and it's mostly for farmland,' said Mills. 'People will say, 'Why here, why not a brownfield?' From a community acceptance perspective, this is what most people consider a no-brainer.'
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EGLE: MI on track to reach goal of 30% recycle rate by 2029
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy said Michigan is seeing a steady increase in recycling and is on track to reach its goal of a 30% recycling rate by 2029. EGLE said its research shows that Michigan residents have increased their recycling rate from 14.25% before 2019 to over 25% today. In fiscal year 2024, EGLE said residents recycled more than 71,000 tons of glass, 329,000 tons of paper and paper products and 56,000 tons of plastics and plastic products. EGLE releases final draft of MI Healthy Climate Plan 'Michigan's commitment to recycling is shaping a cleaner, more resilient future. By increasing our recycling rate, we not only conserve natural resources but also generate substantial economic benefits — supporting over 72,500 jobs and injecting billions of dollars into our economy,' EGLE Director Phil Roos said in a release. 'Every bottle, box and can recycled brings us one step closer to a sustainable Michigan where both the environment and our communities thrive.' Whitmer offers 'carbon-neutral' climate plan for Michigan To help expand recycling access in Michigan, EGLE said it has given out more than $11.8 billion in grants. In West Michigan, the following grants were given out: City of Holland: $1 million to promote a new drop-off facility to recycle standard materials and hard-to-recycle items, designed to be used as a model for other communities. Calhoun County Comprehensive Recycling Center: $500,000 to help build a comprehensive drive-through drop-off recycling center. Ionia Conservation District: $222,622 to construct four recycling drop-off facilities in Ionia County. Pentwater Township: $93,000 for upgrades to the recycling drop-off facility that will allow it to stay open during the winter. Design Declassified, Grand Rapids: $250,000 to scale operations to transform locally sourced plastic waste into durable, solid-surface materials for countertops, tables, wall panels, furniture and more. Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Muskegon: $250,000 to develop a process for manufacturing of eco-conscious wood products made from unsellable and scrap wood-based materials received through its donated goods programs. OkaTerra, Grand Rapids: $218,000 to enhance material prototyping and carry out environmental and safety testing for an initiative focused on commercializing the use of waste wool from Michigan farmers to create innovative products, including sound-absorbing screens for the contract furniture market. Perfect Circle Recycling, Grand Rapids: $155,000 to buy three 10,000-gallon refrigerated tanks to integrate into existing material de-packaging processes, enabling the recovery of surplus milk from suppliers and repurposing it as animal feed for local farms. Public Thread, Grand Rapids: $210,700 to research and develop capacity growth and processes for material collection and sorting, as well as collaborate with local designers and innovators to upcycle post-consumer apparel and textiles. Revolin Sports, Holland: $242,000 for cutting-edge research and machinery to fabricate lightweight, high-performance composite materials made from recycled thermoplastics into products such as pickleball paddles and eventually in industries such as automotive, office furniture and construction. Wormies, Grand Rapids: $122,240 for infrastructure that will allow the small business to pursue more customers for the residential and commercial food waste pickup service, as well as increase efficiency at the compost site, offering a compost management service for farmers and ranchers processing over 1,000 cubic yards of feedstock a year. TrueNorth Services, Fremont: $100,000 to purchase a refrigerated food rescue vehicle that will expand the service area by 80 miles and increase food surplus collection volume from 54 tons to 168 tons annually. Community Action House, Holland: $53,438 to support the Lakeshore Food Rescue Program, which rescued 3 million pounds of food in 2024. The addition of a refrigerated storage container will increase storage capacity and facilitate handling of full semi-truck loads. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
29-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Michigan Economic Development Corporation unveils 'Michigan's Roadmap to a Sustainable World' short film during WEF
'Michigan is leading in sustainability through business and policy, which is creating more opportunities for investment, job creation and cleaner communities for our citizens' — MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr. LANSING, MI, UNITED STATES, January 29, 2025 / / -- The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) unveiled 'Michigan's Roadmap to a Sustainable World,' a short film on the state's leadership and initiatives in clean energy and sustainability. Michigan is a key player in the global fight against climate change due to its combination of industrial prowess, R&D-friendly environment and commitment to sustainability through ambitious statewide targets. The film highlights these strengths by the Great Lakes State, including its partnership with cutting-edge companies that share similar sustainability goals such as Australian-based company Fortescue Zero and innovation accelerator Orange Sparkle Ball. 'We must ensure we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable planet for future generations not just here in Michigan, but around the globe,' said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr. 'Michigan is leading in sustainability through business and policy, which is creating more opportunities for investment, job creation and cleaner communities for our citizens.' In April 2022, Michigan introduced the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which lays out a pathway for the state to reach 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. Cory Connolly, Chief Climate Officer for the State of Michigan, speaks to the plan's goal to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis, create good-paying jobs and build a healthier, more prosperous, equitable and sustainable state for all Michiganders. Michigan leads the nation in clean energy funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), is No. 1 in the nation for hydrogen investment and is a top state for CHIPS Act funding in clean technologies such as semiconductors. As the clean energy sector grows in Michigan, so too must the talent pipeline. Throughout the film, Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer for the State of Michigan, highlights Michigan's robust STEAM talent pool, along with efforts to attract leading minds who want to do purpose-driven work. This includes a robust recruiting effort of talent from, in and outside the state, as well as the establishment of reskilling and upskilling programs for professionals to transition their skills from adjacent industries, such as automotive to clean energy. This also includes working with higher education institutions to create new college programs aligned with evolving industry needs. The film aligns with the themes for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Switzerland addressing the most pressing global and regional challenges of climate change. . About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at Eloise McKenna
