Latest news with #Thayer
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
From Blight to Bright: Michigan Explores Solar Power on Brownfield Sites
The East Lansing Community Solar Park. The park went online in 2019 and was built on top of a retired landfill at Burcham Park. | Kyle Davidson 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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 Gov. 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 multi-billion-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.' This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here.
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
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Humpback whale deaths increasing on the east coast
COROLLA, N.C. (WAVY) – The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is seeing an uptick in humpback whales washing up on shores. On Thursday, April 10, a dead juvenile humpback whale washed up on Corolla Beach. Previous Coverage: Dead juvenile humpback whale washes up on Corolla Beach Officials with Jennette's Pier said she weighed approximately 60,000 pounds and was 33 feet, 7 inches long. They did a necropsy and they are still working to determine a cause of death. Victoria Thayer, the North Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, said they found evidence of blunt force trauma on the whale, but they cannot say that was the cause of death until some more tests are processed. Thayer said there has been an increase in humpback whales washing up on shores in recent years and a large number of them have been found to have trauma caused by humans. 'On the average, four to five humpback whales strand a year along the South Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida. This is the seventh humpback that's stranded this year in South and North Carolina combined.' She specified that not every one of those whales were examined due to varying levels of decay, but of the whales that were examined, about 40% had evidence of human interaction, either vessel strike or entanglement. Thayer said humpbacks are under an unusual mortality event, something that NOAA has been tracking since 2016 when the numbers began noticeably increasing. When it comes to preventing incidents such as this, Thayer said the best thing vessels can do is stay away when they spot a whale. 'Some whales, like the North Atlantic Right Whale, don't have dorsal fins so they're very hard to see at the surface. They can be just below the surface,' she said. 'If [vessels] stay under 10 knots in areas where you see whales, if vessels could do that, that would be really helpful and maybe help prevent injury to the whale and injury to the boats also, or ships.' Thayer said one challenge they faced when performing the necropsy on the whale that was found Thursday, was that it was already somewhat decomposed, so there were some organs they could not examine because of the level of decomposition. She said that the sooner people report the finding of a dead animal, the sooner they can respond and the more they can learn. 'The sooner we can get to these individual animals, the more information we can learn from them, and we appreciate public input and interest.' To report marine mammal strandings, injuries and entanglements, depending on where you are, call one of the 24/7 hotline numbers below: OBX Stranding Hotline: 252-455-9654 Central NC Coast Stranding Hotline: 252-241-5119 Southern NC Coast Stranding Hotline: 910-254-5713 For more information about the humpback whale unusual mortality event, click here. The full interview with Victoria Thayer from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is available below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear displays his colors in veto fights with Republican lawmakers
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Knowing the odds of winning were stacked against him, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear nevertheless vetoed bills sent his way by the Republican-dominated Kentucky legislature with by-now familiar themes: abortion, Medicaid and diversity initiatives. The bills reprised partisan disputes that have become as much a sign of springtime in Kentucky as the tulips blooming at the state Capitol. But they also sent fresh signals to national Democrats about who Beshear is as speculation continues about whether he'll run for president in 2028. "His veto pen has been consistent,' said Democratic political strategist Mark Riddle. 'It's been authentic and it's within his core value set. And that's a very easy argument to take to the country.' The vetoes, Riddle said, signal 'who he will fight for and who he will take on and fight against." In practical terms, Beshear couldn't stop Kentucky Republicans from doing what they wanted. In overriding his vetoes with methodical efficiency on Thursday, they followed the same script that's played out at the end of legislative sessions throughout Beshear's two terms as governor. Still, that didn't stop him from seizing the moment to shed light on his political beliefs, casting his fights with Republicans in ways that could easily shift toward a more national audience. 'By now," Beshear said in a statement Friday, 'Kentuckians know that I'll always do what I believe is right, and the right thing here was to veto these bills.' Known for an even-keeled, disciplined style, Beshear's willingness to push back against Republican supermajorities could bolster his political stock in national Democratic circles. Beshear has won three elections in GOP-dominated Kentucky — once as attorney general and twice as governor. Former Kentucky state Sen. Damon Thayer, a Republican who spent years in Senate leadership, said Beshear's vetoes show his true colors as a 'traditional liberal Democrat.' For years, Thayer made the motions for the Senate to override those vetoes, calling it 'one of my favorite parts of the job.' 'It's just been frustrating to me over the years that the voting public that seems so enamored with him hasn't really paid attention to the fact that he's vetoed … bills that the majority of Kentuckians support,' Thayer said. That's not the whole picture. Each year, stacks of bills signed by Beshear far outnumber his vetoes. And despite a rocky relationship with GOP lawmakers, they've teamed up on far-reaching legislation in recent years — legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting and steering federal funding toward such shared priorities as broadband expansion and infrastructure. But veto battles have exposed the friction in Kentucky's divided government. That included longstanding culture-war issues — abortion, conversion therapy and diversity, equity and inclusion programs — as GOP lawmakers swept aside Beshear vetoes on Thursday. Supporters of the abortion measure said it offered clarity to doctors fearful of violating Kentucky law for terminating pregnancies while treating expectant mothers with grave complications. Amid the state's near-total abortion ban, the bill offers guidelines for doctors in such emergencies, they said. Beshear said it would have the opposite effect, siding with abortion-rights supporters. The governor said it would undermine the clinical judgment of doctors and put pregnant women at greater risk when faced with medical emergencies. David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, a socially conservative group, said the veto exposed Beshear as a 'mouthpiece' for abortion-rights groups In rejecting a bill to dismantle DEI efforts at public universities, Beshear cast his veto in terms of his faith. He said diversity should be embraced as a strength and branded the legislation as being 'about hate.' 'I believe in the Golden Rule that says we love our neighbor as ourself, and there are no exceptions, no asterisks,' said Beshear, a church deacon. 'We love and we accept everyone.' Republicans sprung a big change for Medicaid — adding a work requirement for able-bodied adult recipients with no dependents — just ahead of the deadline to retain their override power. Beshear answered with a veto, saying some adults would lose health coverage, and Republicans overrode him. GOP state Sen. Chris McDaniel has said Republicans are committed to supporting vulnerable Kentuckians but added: 'This nation demands that those who can put forth effort do.' Beshear also denounced conversion therapy as 'torture' in vetoing legislation that safeguards access to the practice. Conversion therapy is the scientifically discredited practice of trying to 'convert' LGBTQ+ people to heterosexuality or traditional gender expectations through therapeutic treatment. With their override, Republicans nullified restrictions Beshear has placed on the practice in an executive order last year. In his veto message, Beshear said policymakers should be protecting kids, not 'subjecting them to discredited methods that jeopardize their health, wellbeing and safety.' ___ Associated Press Writer Dylan Lovan in Louisville contributed to this report.
Associated Press
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear displays his colors in veto fights with Republican lawmakers
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Knowing the odds of winning were stacked against him, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear nevertheless vetoed bills sent his way by the Republican-dominated Kentucky legislature with by-now familiar themes: abortion, Medicaid and diversity initiatives. The bills reprised partisan disputes that have become as much a sign of springtime in Kentucky as the tulips blooming at the state Capitol. But they also sent fresh signals to national Democrats about who Beshear is as speculation continues about whether he'll run for president in 2028. 'His veto pen has been consistent,' said Democratic political strategist Mark Riddle. 'It's been authentic and it's within his core value set. And that's a very easy argument to take to the country.' The vetoes, Riddle said, signal 'who he will fight for and who he will take on and fight against.' In practical terms, Beshear couldn't stop Kentucky Republicans from doing what they wanted. In overriding his vetoes with methodical efficiency on Thursday, they followed the same script that's played out at the end of legislative sessions throughout Beshear's two terms as governor. Still, that didn't stop him from seizing the moment to shed light on his political beliefs, casting his fights with Republicans in ways that could easily shift toward a more national audience. 'By now,' Beshear said in a statement Friday, 'Kentuckians know that I'll always do what I believe is right, and the right thing here was to veto these bills.' Known for an even-keeled, disciplined style, Beshear's willingness to push back against Republican supermajorities could bolster his political stock in national Democratic circles. Beshear has won three elections in GOP-dominated Kentucky — once as attorney general and twice as governor. Former Kentucky state Sen. Damon Thayer, a Republican who spent years in Senate leadership, said Beshear's vetoes show his true colors as a 'traditional liberal Democrat.' For years, Thayer made the motions for the Senate to override those vetoes, calling it 'one of my favorite parts of the job.' 'It's just been frustrating to me over the years that the voting public that seems so enamored with him hasn't really paid attention to the fact that he's vetoed … bills that the majority of Kentuckians support,' Thayer said. That's not the whole picture. Each year, stacks of bills signed by Beshear far outnumber his vetoes. And despite a rocky relationship with GOP lawmakers, they've teamed up on far-reaching legislation in recent years — legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting and steering federal funding toward such shared priorities as broadband expansion and infrastructure. But veto battles have exposed the friction in Kentucky's divided government. That included longstanding culture-war issues — abortion, conversion therapy and diversity, equity and inclusion programs — as GOP lawmakers swept aside Beshear vetoes on Thursday. Supporters of the abortion measure said it offered clarity to doctors fearful of violating Kentucky law for terminating pregnancies while treating expectant mothers with grave complications. Amid the state's near-total abortion ban, the bill offers guidelines for doctors in such emergencies, they said. Beshear said it would have the opposite effect, siding with abortion-rights supporters. The governor said it would undermine the clinical judgment of doctors and put pregnant women at greater risk when faced with medical emergencies. David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, a socially conservative group, said the veto exposed Beshear as a 'mouthpiece' for abortion-rights groups In rejecting a bill to dismantle DEI efforts at public universities, Beshear cast his veto in terms of his faith. He said diversity should be embraced as a strength and branded the legislation as being 'about hate.' 'I believe in the Golden Rule that says we love our neighbor as ourself, and there are no exceptions, no asterisks,' said Beshear, a church deacon. 'We love and we accept everyone.' Republicans sprung a big change for Medicaid — adding a work requirement for able-bodied adult recipients with no dependents — just ahead of the deadline to retain their override power. Beshear answered with a veto, saying some adults would lose health coverage, and Republicans overrode him. GOP state Sen. Chris McDaniel has said Republicans are committed to supporting vulnerable Kentuckians but added: 'This nation demands that those who can put forth effort do.' Beshear also denounced conversion therapy as 'torture' in vetoing legislation that safeguards access to the practice. Conversion therapy is the scientifically discredited practice of trying to 'convert' LGBTQ+ people to heterosexuality or traditional gender expectations through therapeutic treatment. With their override, Republicans nullified restrictions Beshear has placed on the practice in an executive order last year. In his veto message, Beshear said policymakers should be protecting kids, not 'subjecting them to discredited methods that jeopardize their health, wellbeing and safety.'
