Michigan Green Communities May Update

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Network Update

Resources and News for Michigan Green Communities

May 11, 2012

Table of Contents

News from the Network

  • Michigan Green Communities Leadership Academy: July 16-17
  • May Conference Call: Upcoming Events
  • Resources Available from April Town-Gown Partnerships Call

Resources

  • Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants Available
  • Grants Available for Clean Diesel Projects
  • Up To $20 Million Available From EPA for 2012 Great Lakes Restoration Projects
  • New Tools to Determine Solar and Wind Energy Potential on Contaminated Lands
  • Case Study on Ann Arbor’s Municipal Energy Efficiency Fund

Events

  • Detroit: Building For The Future
  • Invitation to Tour Innovative Wind Manufacturing Plant
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News from the Network

Michigan Green Communities Leadership Academy

July 16 - 17, 2012
Ann Arbor, MI
The Michigan Green Communities Leadership Academy (MGCLA): Advancing Sustainability and Economic Development is a two-day workshop for local government sustainability, economic development, and planning staff. By attending the MGCLA, your team will learn about sustainability initiatives in Michigan and across the country that can be adapted and implemented in your community. You will learn valuable strategies for engaging the public and communicating about the economic and community benefits of sustainability. And you will build your leadership capacity and skills to advance sustainability initiatives. Teams of 3-4 senior officials and key stakeholders are invited to apply to participate in the workshop. Learn more.

May Conference Call: Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 16
10 am Eastern
Call in: 734-794-6099
Bridge: 43720
Josh Kelly from the Institute for Sustainable Communities will be on the call to discuss the format, goals, and happenings for the Michigan Green Communities Leadership Academy.
Participants will have a chance to provide feedback about the Leadership Academy and about the 3rd annual Green Communities conference, which is scheduled for Friday, November 2 at the MML's Lansing office. We're looking for ideas about topics to cover, speakers to invite and conference format. Please join us on the conference call and save November 2 on your calendar.
 

Resources Available from April Town-Gown Partnerships Call

Slides and notes from the April call are now available on the MGC Micheen group. The call featured Woody Woodruff from Union Township, Scott MacInnes from the City of Houghton, and George Dewey from Michigan Tech University. View slides and view notes.

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Resources

Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants Available

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) offers grants to help improve and expand domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Applications are due May 21, 2012. Learn more.


Grants Available for Clean Diesel Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of up to $20 million in FY 2012 grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing harmful pollution from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines and improving air quality and Americans’ health. States, tribes, local governments, and non-profits are eligible to apply for these grants. Projects can reduce air pollution from older school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and other diesel engines. The closing date for receipt of proposals is June 4, 2012. Learn more.

Up To $20 Million Available From EPA for 2012 Great Lakes Restoration Projects

EPA is requesting applications from states, municipalities, tribes, universities and nonprofit organizations for new projects to restore and protect the Great Lakes. EPA will distribute approximately $20 million through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant program during Fiscal Year 2012. Learn more.


New Tools to Determine Solar and Wind Energy Potential on Contaminated Lands

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed and launched two new tools designed to test underutilized sites and contaminated land for solar and wind energy potential. State and local governments, site owners, and community members can use the tools to help identify the most desirable sites for solar or wind installations from both a logistical and economic standpoint, without the need for technical expertise. Screening sites for Solar PV Potential (pdf) and Screening sites for Wind Energy Potential (pdf).


Case Study on Ann Arbor’s Municipal Energy Efficiency Fund

With the establishment of a long-term Municipal Energy Efficiency Fund, the City of Ann Arbor was able to overcome the lack of readily available energy efficiency (EE) financing and to demonstrate that municipal governments can play a leadership role in showcasing the value and benefit of EE to its citizens and communities. Savings estimates for projects completed in 10 years (1998-2008) demonstrate that these projects have cumulatively resulted in nearly $900,000 in energy cost reductions, 10.7 GWh in energy savings, and approximately 8,000 tonnes of CO2e. This case study from the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) provides a detailed summary of the fund. Learn more.
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Events

Detroit: Building For The Future

Tuesday, May 22
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Invest in your future by joining leaders in the Corporate Real Estate Industry who will share adaptive, resource-efficient building logic and the next generation of urban design, revitalization and rebuilding with a focus on protecting and preserving our environment for future generations. Learn more.

Invitation to Tour Innovative Wind Manufacturing Plant

Tuesday, May 22
10:30 a.m – 12:00 noon
Eaton Rapids, MI
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light and the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assoc. invite you to tour Astraeus Wind Energy and view one of the leading innovations in wind manufacturing. Astraeus is a Michigan company that is reducing the cost of wind components by collaborating with MAG Industrial Automation Systems, Dow Chemical, Dowding Industries, Oakridge National Lab, and URV USA.  The initial focus is on machining of hubs and reducing the machining time from 30 to 6 hours, but other components will be improved using the latest advances in materials and automated manufacturing. Learn more.
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About Michigan Green Communities
Michigan Green Communities is a network of local government and university staff in the state of Michigan that collaborate with one another, through peer learning and information sharing, to promote innovative solutions and move sustainability initiatives forward at the local, regional, and state level.

For questions or more information about MGC, contact Jamie Kidwell (jkidwell@a2gov.org), Luke Forrest (lforrest@mml.org), or Laura Matson (lmatson@a2gov.org).

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