Alternative Energy

Business Coalition Seeks To Expand Electric Utility Choice To 25 Percent LANSING - A new coalition of businesses announced on Tuesday it was starting a new effort to expand electric utility choice in the state.

Jasper Alternative Fuels Inks Contract To Install Propane Fuel Injectors NEW HUDSON – Jasper Alternate Fuels, a division of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, has signed an agreement with Icom North America to install and service Icom's patented JTG propane liquid-injection fuel system on commercial fleet vehicles in North America.

Benzie Conservation District Wins Millage Vote, Doors Stay Open EAST LANSING - The passage of a recent four-year millage in Benzie County meant the difference between the life and death of the Benzie Conservation District, which can continue to deliver conservation programs critical to private landowners in their community.

Canadian Sierra Club Files Lawsuit To Block Detroit River Crossing LANSING - The proposed Detroit River International Crossing will harm a rare ecosystem and threaten endangered species, Sierra Club Canada said Thursday in announcing it filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse an environmental permit issued by the Canadian Minister of Natural Resources.

Kettering University Debuts Biofuel Pickup FLINT - Kettering University on Thursday unveiled Flint's first biomethane fuel truck – a converted 2500HD Chevy Silverado to run on dual-fuel system. The vehicle can be powered by biomethane gas, a renewable alternative fuel that will be produced at the new biomethane plant in Flint.

Seminar Shows How To Cut Energy Costs, Improve Ecological Footprint AUBURN HILLS - Learn how to cut your energy costs, improve your ecological footprint, reduce waste, increase business equity, improve building performance, enhance your image, increase productivity, and much more.

ITCTransmission Gets Nod For Thumb Loop Wind Power Backbone NOVI - ITCTransmission Thursday received approval from the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator for the Thumb Loop high-voltage electric transmission line project. The project will serve as the "backbone" of a transmission system designed to deliver wind power from Michigan's "Thumb" area to locations where it is needed.

Midland Ranked Top 10 In Nation By Business Magazine MIDLAND – Business Facilities magazine has ranked the Midland area No. 3 in the country for economic growth potential and for Alternative Energy Industry Leaders. The rankings were for metropolitan areas with less than 200,000 residents.

Eggs & Energy - Alternative Energy Breakfast Series SOUTHFIELD – Join the Engineering Society of Detroit Sept. 20 for its kick-off breakfast of the new Eggs & Energy Alternative Energy Breakfast Series. The first program will feature expert speaker Mujeeb Ijaz, Systems Energy Solutions Group Manager from A123 Systems. Michigan Congressman Gary Peters has been invited to speak as well.

MEDC CEO Keynotes Hybrid Electric Vehicle Reception Sept. 1 SOUTHFIELD - The Hybrid Electric Vehicles Michigan group will be holding its 3rd quarterly networking reception Sept. 1 at the Westin Town Center. Greg Main, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., is the keynote speaker.

Glen Lake High School Team Places In National Envirothon Contest EAST LANSING - Students from Glen Lake High School placed 17th out of 54 teams nationwide in the Soils category at the North American Envirothon, an annual environmental education competition held the first week in August at California.

Detroit Edison Can Charge Special Rates For Electric Vehicles LANSING - Detroit Edison will be able to charge special rates to those with electric vehicles under an order approved Tuesday by the Public Service Commission.

Hydro Energy Converter System Tested On St. Clair River PORT HURON - A new form of clean energy, which harnesses the movements of rivers and tides, was tested by Vortex Hydro Energy on the St. Clair River. The company, using technology developed at the University of Michigan, installed a prototype of its VIVACE converter. The formal launch is scheduled for 2011.

Midland Solar Applications Founders Featured Aug. 18 At Innovation Center MIDLAND - Join an eclectic group at MidMichigan Innovation Center of August 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to hear from three seasoned business leaders-turned-entrepreneurs who started Midland Solar Applications, and built Midland County's first residential grid connected to solar arrays.

Ann Arbor Deploys Hybrid Trucks To Handle Curbside Recycling ANN ARBOR - The City of Ann Arbor has deployed Eaton's Hydraulic Launch Assist hybrid power system – four trucks, based on the Peterbilt Model 320 Hybrid with Labrie body - to operate in daily curbside recycling duty. The trucks are expected to provide up to 30 percent improvements in fuel economy and emissions and significant reductions maintenance costs.

ITC Holdings Posts Double Digit Net Income Gains For 2Q, Six Months NOVI – Electricity transmission operator ITC Holdings Wednesday reported net income for the six months ended June 30 was $70.5 million, or 1.38 per diluted common share, compared to $59.5 million, or $1.17 per diluted common share for the same period a year ago.

Sustainable Business Forum Golf Outing Aug. 9 GRAND RAPIDS - The 5th Annual Go Green Golf Outing is Aug. 9 at the Quail Ridge Golf Course in Ada. It's sponsored by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.

Granholm Signs Legislation Making Utility Theft A Felony LANSING – Michigan residents stealing utility service or assaulting utility workers trying to disconnect their service would face stricter penalties under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Relume Technology Sells Canton LED Lighting Upgrades OXFORD - Relume Technologies, a leading manufacturer of light-emitting diode products and smart grid control systems for outdoor lighting applications, was chosen by the City of Canton, Ohio to supply LED light engines to upgrade hundreds of the community's decorative lighting fixtures.

GKN Driveline Develops Electric-Drive Axles For Vehicles AUBURN HILLS - GKN Driveline has designed a new range of electric- drive axles ideal for use in both pure electric vehicles and for converting conventional vehicles into hybrids.