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CBS News
7 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan officials react after EPA cancels funding for Solar for All program
Michigan's Solar for All program, intended to help provide renewable energy resources to low-income residents, has lost millions in expected federal funding, state officials confirm. "We are currently working with Michigan's Attorney General to determine our next steps," Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Director Phil Roos said in a statement. State officials say the program was so far along that pilot projects had already been selected for nine Michigan counties, including Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw. The intention was to help eligible households reduce their electricity bills through the implementation of solar energy and related systems. "The state's MI Solar for All Program would significantly reduce energy costs for thousands of Michigan residents, providing an average savings of $400 per family per year while creating approximately 700 high-quality local jobs, boosting the state's economy and supporting American businesses. By increasing Michigan's energy independence, the program also builds resilience against power outages and extreme weather events. Regrettably, the EPA wants to retroactively cut funding for this vital program at a time when such initiatives should be prioritized," Roos said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Aug. 7 that the Solar for All financial funding efforts are ending. There were 60 grant awards already approved across the country, with the EGLE handling Michigan's funds. "The bottom line is this: EPA no longer has the statutory authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds to keep this boondoggle alive," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement posted on X. Michigan had been approved for $156,120,000 in federal funds to help support rooftop solar, community solar, energy storage and related logistics. Much of the planning has already taken place, according to the EGLE website, and the state's program introduction was scheduled for early 2026. CBS News Detroit has reached out to the EPA for comment.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan recycled a record amount of waste last year. Officials say goal is within reach
For the fourth consecutive year, Michigan residents increased their recycling rate — surpassing 25% in 2024, according to analysis data by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The analysis by EGLE shows that Michigan residents have increased their recycling rate from 14.25% before 2019 to 23% in 2024, and more than 25% now. '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. 'Every bottle, box, and can recycled brings us one step closer to a sustainable Michigan where both the environment and our communities thrive.' EGLE says Michigan is on track to achieve the state's goal of a 30% recycling rate by 2029. What to know about the latest recycling figures. Michiganders recycled more than 71,000 tons of plastic, 329,000 tons of paper and 56,000 tons of plastics in 2024, the state said. The total amount of recycled materials was 723,174 tons, exceeding the previous year by 19,000 tons. This equates to every person in Michigan recycling 143 pounds materials over a 12-month span EGLE researchers said. 'The volume of materials Michiganders recycled in FY 2024 equals the weight of 10 Mackinac Bridges and would fill the football stadiums of the Detroit Lions, University of Michigan, and Michigan State University, as well as the hockey stadium of national champion Western Michigan University,' said Matt Flechter, EGLE recycling market development specialist. 'Recycling is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do.' that recycled more than 330,000 tons of paper and paper products were recycled during fiscal year 2023, more than 237,000 tons of metals, more than 67,000 tons of glass, and more than 58,000 tons of plastics and plastic products. The total amount of residential recycled materials reported for FY 2023 was 703,369 tons — exceeding the record set the year before by more than 82,000 tons. Recycling in Michigan supports 72,500 jobs and contributes more than $17 billion a year to the state's economy, EGLE said. An EGLE-commissioned survey shows that since the department launched its national award-winning 'Know It Before You Throw It' recycling education campaign, featuring the Recycling Raccoon Squad, in 2019: 3 in 4 Michiganders report taking action and changing their recycling behavior. The number of Michiganders who know that recyclables should not be bagged in plastic when placed at curbside more than doubled, from 14% to 36%. The number of Michiganders who recognize pizza boxes with a little grease are recyclable has almost doubled, from 26% pre-2019 to 47% in 2024. Nearly 66% of Michiganders in 2024 knew where to check recycling rules if needed. Michigan residents reported they were recycling an average of 44% of their household waste, up from 38% pre-2019. The EGLE survey of 1,000 Michigan residents was conducted August-September 2024. In 2024, the EPA estimated that an investment of $36.5 billion to $43.4 billion would be needed to improve curbside collection, dropoff, and processing infrastructure across the U.S. by 2030. Such an investment could lead to the potential recovery of an additional 82 million to 89 million tons of packaging and organic waste, which would be a 91% increase in recovery from the estimated 94 million tons recycled and composted in EPA's 2018 Facts and Figures report. The additional recycling would increased the national rate from 32% in 2018 to 61%. The EPA's nationwide recycling goal is 50% by 2030. There was an overall 5.43% increase in solid waste disposed in Michigan's 67 landfills last year, Roos said in a February report: In fiscal 2024, 24.1 million tons were disposed. In fiscal 2023, 22.89 million tons were disposed. Waste from Michigan residents and businesses increased by 1.29 million tons. Imported waste decreased by 52,000 tons, the report said. Imported solid waste is approximately 18.97% of all waste disposed in Michigan landfills in fiscal 2024, with the largest source from Canada. In fiscal 2024, 4.4 million tons of waste were disposed from other states and Canada. Michigan officials also announced they have awarded grants to localities totaling to more than $4.6 million to improve recycling infrastructure, including: City of Holland: $1 million to promote a new drop-off facility to recycle standard materials and hard-to-recycle items. The facility could become a model for other communities, EGLE said. Recycle Ann Arbor: $800,000 to expand residential recycling dropoff access and significantly increase capacity for diverting construction and demolition waste in southeast Michigan. City of Detroit: $780,000 to increase participation in the residential curbside recycling program by providing 24,000 additional recycling carts to households across Detroit. Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA): $696,000 for the materials recovery facility that processes approximately 16 tons of recyclables per hour. SOCRRA plans to install equipment that uses cameras and software to improve material sorting. Calhoun County Comprehensive Recycling Center: $500,000 to help build a drive-through dropoff recycling center. Goodwill's Green Works, Detroit: $300,000 to increase collection and processing capacity for its existing appliance recycling program through new equipment, vehicles and infrastructure upgrades. Project support from EGLE will provide the initial investment to scale these programs to offer free drop-off and community collection events in Southeast Michigan with plans to scale statewide in partnership with Goodwill Association of Michigan. Ionia Conservation District: $222,622 to construct four recycling dropoff facilities in Ionia County. City of Auburn (Bay County): $94,000 to distribute curbside recycling carts to all single-family homes in the city. Pentwater Township: $93,000 for upgrades to the recycling dropoff facility that will allow it to stay open during the winter. Peaine Township: $45,920 for expansion of the recycling dropoff facility located on Beaver Island. Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC): $45,000 to help build a recycling dropoff facility that will increase recycling access for community members at BMIC and the surrounding area. Missaukee County: $37,500 to purchase a vehicle that will allow for increased cardboard collection from county businesses. City of Bay City: $14,000 to purchase additional equipment for the city's recycling dropoff facility. Tuscola County: $10,500 to assist with infrastructure to increase recycling collection from county businesses. Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority: $7,680 for additional recycling collection containers in the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Additionally, Michigan recycling programs received a collection of grants from EGLE, totaling more than $5.6 million. The grants will provide training, purchase equipment, establish programs and more. According to the city of Ann Arbor, these items are acceptable to put in your recycling bin: Paper, such as newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, cardboard (must be flattened), frozen food boxes and cereal-type boxes Metal cans Glass bottles and jars, remove tops Cleaned plastic bottles, containers and tubs (screw on caps: keep on, flat plastic lids: throw away) "Aseptic" and "Tetrapak" cartons. These are typically used for milk, juice, soymilk, chicken broth, almond milk, etc. What to not place in recycling bins: Plastic bags or film Styrofoam Nos. 3, 4, 6 and 7 plastics Biodegradable plastics (marked 'PLA' or 'BPI') Batteries Electronics Light bulbs Toxic materials such as motor oil Medical waste, syringes Scrap metal (auto parts, pieces of equipment) Hardcover books This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michiganders recycled 723,000 tons in 2024. Officials say goal is within reach
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dearborn schools roll out new electric buses for cleaner transportation
DEARBORN, Mich. (FOX 2) - Earth Day was Tuesday, but efforts to protect the environment continue in Dearborn, including a new fleet of electric school buses. On Wednesday, Dearborn Public Schools rolled out new electric school buses that will help create a cleaner environment. "18 new zero-emission additions to the fleet and 20 chargers. That's not just a run-of-the-mill upgrade to a school's bus system," said Phil Roos of Egle. "But also public health and the quality of life." Big picture view In fact, it's one of the largest single school bus deployments in the state. "We're not just doing this for us. We're doing this for Michigan," said high school sophomore Mahdi Nasrala. "Because when Dearborn takes a step forward, it sends a message across the state. This is possible. Cleaner air is possible. Greener transportation is possible. Innovation and public education sustainability can go hand-in-hand." A "pulling the plug" ceremony was held to celebrate the fleet's arrival. The school district had help reaching this milestone. "We supported the initiative with Dearborn Public Schools and Highland Electric Fleet through our fleet advisory services and our charger rebates," said Neal Foley with Egle. The initiative was also backed by $1.7 million in EPA funding. "It's really important, again, that we try to incentivize as much as we can on the federal level and be that partner, because a lot of school districts don't have the capacity nor the resources to do this," said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib What they're saying An official said that not only will the school buses contribute to a healthy environment, but they will also help the school district's bottom line.
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.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 more West Michigan communities get EGLE grants for solar projects
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Four more West Michigan communities will receive funding help from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for solar energy projects. EGLE awards $1.25 million in funding to Muskegon County solar farm EGLE announced the fourth round of grants from the on Tuesday, doling out another $8.1 million. Lee Township will receive the bulk of the grants. The Calhoun County entity will receive $4,040,000 for the . Bethel Township in Branch County will receive $1 million for the . Hart Township in Oceana County will receive $600,000 for the . Barry County will receive $297,500 for the . Eight total projects will be supported in all in this round of RRCA grants. The projects supported by this round will eventually produce 1,836 megawatts of solar power — enough to power 1.83 million homes and businesses. Canadian company tapped to handle coal ash left by Campbell power plant EGLE Director Phil Roos says the mission of the RRCA help support local communities move toward clean energy. 'These awards will enable communities to invest where they see needs in infrastructure, public safety and more, while accelerating the build-out of affordable green power to hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents,' Roos . The first round of grants was announced last October, followed by the second round in December and the third round in January. Construction begins on Muskegon Solar Energy Center In all, the RRCA will give away $30 million. Half of the grant is awarded when construction starts. The other half is granted when the project starts operating. Several other West Michigan projects have already received support from the RRCA, including the in Moorland Township. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
