Think of clean renewable energy, and wind turbines and solar panels usually come to mind before energy efficiency. But a Northern Michigan firm has harnessed the growing efficiency market to score national recognition as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.

A slate of environmental and energy policy initiatives was outlined by Gov. Rick Snyder during his Nov. 28 special address on energy and the environment, including stronger clean energy policies and Great Lakes protections, strategic planning for public lands and development of a trail network spanning the state.

Across the state, we've been giving presentations on the 25% by 2025 proposal, and fielding good questions. Here are the top 12 questions answered.

How would Proposal 3 affect your electric bill? Generating one quarter of Michigan’s electricity from renewable sources by 2025 would not have a significant impact on electricity rates and would actually reduce energy costs in the long term, according to an analysis released this month.

Families use 36 percent of DTE's electricity, but pay 69% of the cost. Proposal 3 would immediately rectify this inequity

Generating one quarter of Michigan’s electricity from renewable sources by 2025 would not have a significant impact on electricity rates and would actually reduce energy costs in the long term, a study released today concludes.

America’s fossil fuel–dominated energy infrastructure is moving toward a more balanced system incorporating renewable resources that are clean, inexhaustible, and declining in costs. Michigan is part of this transition, one of 30 states with a requirement that electricity suppliers provide customers with a growing proportion of renewable energy. But at 10 percent by 2015, Michigan’s Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) is among the nation’s lowest. When that limit is reached, no further development is required under current law. An initiative on the November 2012 general election ballot, Proposal 3, is a Clean Renewable Electric Energy Standard that would build on Michigan’s current RES. It would require electricity providers to use renewable resources for 25% of their generation by 2025. To protect consumers, the RES includes a cost cap ensuring that compliance with Proposal 3 cannot cause electric rates to increase by more than 1% in any year. Using data from the companies’ federal and state regulatory filings, forecasts by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and other available information, this analysis examines the likely effect of Proposal 3 on ratepayer electricity costs.

Michiganders have an historic opportunity to move our state into a future of clean, Michigan-made energy by adopting the 25 by 25 renewable energy initiative. Proposal 3 on your ballot this November requires Michigan’s electric utility companies to generate one-quarter of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Voters should adopt the initiative.

Michigan’s utility companies are pouring millions into an expensive political ad campaign to confuse the voters on the renewable energy ballot initiative, Proposal 3. The proposal would raise our renewable electricity standard to 25 percent by 2025. There are plenty of great reasons to support Proposal 3 included in this edition’s special report. But it also is instructive to look at the most prevalent arguments against the ballot proposal and see why you shouldn’t believe the naysayers.

In basketball a strong defense is essential. But if you constantly sit back on your heels and allow the other team to dictate the flow of the game, there’s a good chance you’ll lose. For too long, the environmental community has played defense, letting issues come to us instead of taking an offensive posture.

When Doug Jackson was a high school senior, he was so fascinated by the power of the sun that he built an experimental solar panel for his school’s science fair. Now, decades later, thanks to a little luck and Consumers Energy’s own experimental solar panel program, Dr. Jackson—a retired orthopedic surgeon—is revisiting his dream of using sunshine to build a better country.

Almost 70 percent of Michiganders believe clean energy industries are job creators

Obsessed with a wily gopher, golf course groundskeeper Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) creates his own experimental mix of explosives to blast the critter to kingdom come in the finale of the movie classic “Caddyshack.” At Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa, Golf Course Superintendent Chad Corp also experiments with the unconventional. His goals are much different.

Former State senator Patty Birkholz- Known for her effectiveness and for her trademark purple wardrobe- is Gov. Rick Snyder's director of the Michigan office of the Great Lakes.

MEC member group Michigan Interfaith Power and Light (MIPL) brought together clergy from a half-dozen different faiths to tour the $440 million Gratiot County Wind Farm in November.

“The Michigan Environmental Council applauds Consumers Energy on its announcement to not move forward with a new coal-fired power plant, and its decision to retire seven smaller units around the state,” said James Clift, policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council. “These decisions are good news for public health in Michigan.”

A Michigan Environmental Council report that drew more than 120 legislators and policymakers to a State Capitol briefing in June shows the state’s oldest coal-fired electricity plants cost Michiganders $1.5 billion annually in health care expenses. “Public Health Impacts of Old Coal-Fired Power Plants in Michigan” examines pollution from small particulate matter – the main component in soot.

The Michigan Environmental Council called on the State Legislature to provide greater oversight of Michigan utilities today following the release of a report showing that the state’s oldest coal-fired electricity plants cost Michiganders $1.5 billion annually in health care costs.

This report quantifies the economic burden and health toll that the state’s oldest coal-fired power plants create. It examines pollution from small particulate matter – the main component in smog. The report found that the state’s nine oldest coal plants cost a family of four an average of over $500 per year in expenses and damages associated with increased hospital admissions, premature deaths and treatments for asthma, respiratory ailments, and cardiovascular problems, among others. The study also estimated national impacts of Michigan’s old coal power plants, finding that they are responsible for $5.4 billion in health care costs – mostly in the Great Lakes region where much of the pollution falls out. Those plants began operation between 1949 and 1968 and are among the most polluting and least efficient in the state.

Renewable energy in Michigan is significantly less expensive than new coal-fired power and will cost ratepayers far less than originally projected, according to a new report from the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) and a revised renewable energy plan filed in February by Consumers Energy.

A revealing picture of where clean energy stands relative to coal-fired electricity in Michigan was illuminated in February through two new documents: Analysis from the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) and a revised renewable energy plan from Consumers Energy Co.

A letter to Michigan’s Congressional delegation from Michigan college, university, agency and NGO researchers regarding the Clean Air Act and greenhouse gas emissions. --- As scientists, researchers, and concerned citizens of the great state of Michigan, we are writing to urge all members of our delegation to stand up for clean air, clean water and the future of Michigan’s economy. We strongly urge you to reject any measure that would block or delay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from protecting the people of Michigan from air pollution and human caused climate change, both of which put public health, agriculture, the environment and our economy at risk.

Michigan's House Democratic leadership courts rate increases, undermines state's clean energy job growth with support for unnecessary coal plants

Gas bills are a thing of the past at Farmington Hills City Hall, where efficient and renewable energy technologies heat, cool, illuminate and maintain the new $8 million building.

The first public draft of a sweeping vision for a thriving, sustainable Michigan in the year 2060 was released this fall for public input.

A webinar led by MEC Energy Program Director David Gard exploring the concept of “Peak Oil” was offered to MEC member groups Sept. 30. The 60-minute presentation discussed the evidence and potential consequences of this emerging reality, and suggested possible solutions for a sustainable future

A collection of recent quotes from MEC that appeared in the news.

The Vision outlines goals – and intermediate steps – to get Michigan to a year 2060 where energy needs are met cleanly and affordably; thriving centers of commerce prosper in harmony with our Great Lakes and other natural assets; and people thrive in dynamic neighborhoods that have easy access to efficient transportation options, healthy local food and cultural amenities.

Is our supply of cheap oil limited? If so, what are the consequences? What effective responses can the environmental community offer? Check out David Gard's recent webinar in streaming video.

One of the ugly costs of depending so exclusively on fossil fuels to power the nation’s economy was vividly illustrated in July when a 30-inch oil pipeline failed in Marshall, spewing nearly one million gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo River system

Michigan Environmental Council Community Outreach Director Sandra Turner-Handy helped organize the four-day U.S. Social Forum in Detroit this summer—a gathering of more than 10,000 people from across the country committed to social and environmental justice and community empowerment. She was instrumental in organizing a march on the Detroit incinerator—more than 1,000 strong led by the Zero Waste Detroit coalition. The marchers called for recycling programs and healthier trash disposal options to replace the dirty trash burner. Here are some of her thoughts:

Oil spill highlights need for strong legislative support to establish, fund strong protections for Michigan's natural resources

Michigan residents and businesses will be spared astronomical rate increases after the denial of a permit for the Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative’s proposed new 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Rogers City.

Postponement of Consumers Energy's proposed Bay City coal-fired power plant is an opportunity to establish cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives for Michigan

Michigan regulators deny permit for proposed 600 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Rogers City, saying the Wolverine Power Cooperative did not consider other alternatives. Public Service Commission estimates it would have cost average residential customer an additional $77 per month.

Norwegian developers are proposing the state’s first offshore wind farm in Lake Michigan near Pentwater. The plan, for up to 200 turbines within two miles of Silver Lake sand dunes, has generated controversy statewide. Developer Scandia Wind Offshore LLC recently announced it was cutting the project size in half and moving it farther offshore in response to criticism. Although Scandia has not submitted any formal proposal for the wind farm, its publicity has brought the issue to the forefront of public discussion.

Copenhagen, Denmark—While policy makers in Washington and Lansing fight tooth-and-nail over how much support to provide clean energy industries, Denmark is charging full-speed ahead with a formidable array of government-backed technology innovations that have buoyed its economy, galvanized its citizens and made it a key exporter of renewable power ideas and hardware. Whether you admire or distrust the Danish approach that involves extensive government partnership and involvement with its citizens and private industry, one thing is clear: it has made the island nation a formidable global economic force that belies its tiny size.

Communities of color, low-income populations and those in Michigan’s older urban neighborhoods are among those with the most to gain from passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (the Climate Bill).

Report finds no new coal fired power plants are needed in Michigan for at least 13 years

A growing company whose cutting edge energy technology is used primarily by the military is making its move into the lucrative commercial market and hiring laid-off Michigan autoworkers to help make that transition.

Utilities in Michigan are implementing Clean Energy legislation passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm last year (Public Acts 286 and 295 of 2008). Key components of that legislation require new programs in energy efficiency and renewable power. The legislation was a compromise supported by the Michigan Environmental Council, which fought for stronger measures to secure cost savings through energy efficiency and energy independence from renewable power.

One dozen groups file comments urging more thorough consideration of cheaper, cleaner alternatives to Rogers City coal burning plant

The future of Michigan’s clean energy manufacturing economy thrives in a pair of low-slung buildings in a sand-swept industrial park on Lake Michigan’s shore. Windspire wind turbines—a first generation of small windmills geared toward individual homes and businesses—are churned out by workers whose auto industry jobs have evaporated.

The Michigan Environmental Council’s successes at the State Capitol—and its current agenda in Lansing—have helped clean energy industries like Mastech Manufacturing provide new jobs and economic vitality to a state reeling from auto industry woes.

True leadership is a combination of vision and action. Today, our political leadership often lacks both. Too many leaders are stuck in the past or present, unaware or unconcerned that their decisions today will impact our nation for 40 or 50 years.

The following letter was delivered to State House Speaker Andy Dillon, Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer and Gov. Granholm’s office from leading statewide environmental groups. It is a response to a letter to the governor signed by dozens of House members criticizing her recent Clean Energy executive directive. Many of these House members are Clean Energy supporters, but have been grossly misled about the legality, intent, and effect of the governor’s directive. We hope this letter helps set the record straight…or, at least straighter!

A new era of clean energy jobs and economic development in Michigan has been needlessly threatened by Attorney General Mike Cox’s tortured interpretation of state laws regarding public health and the environment, according to the Michigan Environmental Council and the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter.

Legislation passed by the Michigan House and Senate today is a significant first step toward creating a new era of clean energy jobs.

The Michigan Environmental Council’s Urgent Action Fund demonstrated its worth this summer in the battle to pass modern energy policies in the Michigan Legislature.

Michigan leaders need to think bigger. For decades, we’ve slipped out of national leadership on the economy, education, cultural resources and environmental protection. At best, we’re a pale shadow in the middle of the pack in each of these arenas. And we’re still bleeding.

In each issue of the Michigan Environmental Report, we celebrate accomplishments by MEC and member groups.

Legislation requiring state government to purchase renewably generated electricity is a useful first step toward a statewide clean energy policy. But the measure, passed by the Michigan State Senate today, is primarily symbolic because it affects significantly less than 1 percent of the state’s electricity generation.

WonkTalk is designed to put environmental geekspeak and arduous acronyms into plain English. Why? Because we eschew obfuscation and consistently endeavor to disencumber labyrinthine prose, of course!

Welcome to "WonkTalk," a new Michigan Environmental Report featurette designed to put environmental geekspeak and arduous acronyms into plain English.

Stanley “Skip” Pruss recently left his post as a deputy director with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to serve as Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s special advisor on renewable energy and the environment.

Michigan stands at a critical energy crossroads. Traditional sources of energy continue to become more risky and expensive. Inevitable restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions promise to escalate energy costs for years to come. However, there is reason for optimism in Michigan.

The automotive industry is a regular whipping boy for environmentalists in a lather over fuel economy standards and the beyond-petroleum “vision thing.” So what was a contingent from Michigan Environmental Council doing in clean room suits and safety glasses ogling General Motors’ new Delta Township plant outside Lansing in May?

The City of Grand Rapids has earned a sustainability award from the United Nations University for its Community Sustainability Partnership efforts. It is the first city in the U.S., and one of only 30 in the world, to receive the award.

There’s a big fuss in Lansing as the governor, legislators and lobbyists try to find a way to replace revenue that will be lost when Michigan’s Single Business Tax (SBT) dies at the end of the year. And with good reason; our SBT generates a whopping $2 billion every year. Still, that’s chump change compared to the $20 billion Michigan businesses and residents pay vendors in other states and countries just to meet our annual energy needs.