Detroit Edison Plans Electric Hike

Increase Could Appear On August's Bill

Associated Press
2:10 PM CDT, June 26, 2009

Detroit Edison Co. plans to raise average monthly residential electric bills by $1.25.Michigan's largest utility said Friday the increase would appear on August bills, though regulators have until July 26 to weigh in.Utilities can increase power bills on their own if the Michigan Public Service Commission doesn't act within six months of a rate request being filed. Refunds with interest must be paid if regulators decide a utility charged too much.Edison plans to raise rates temporarily until January while waiting for regulators to act on a bigger rate proposal.Residents could pay $7 more per month than now depending on what regulators allow, though Edison now said it's asking for less because of savings in operations and lower fuel costs.

Michigan gets $32.8 million to cut energy usage

Updated at 4:20 p.m.

Michigan will receive $32.8 million in federal grants to reduce energy consumption in homes and businesses, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Monday.

That’s part of $82 million the state will receive overall for energy programs under the federal stimulus plan.

Chu, who visited Battle Creek, said Michigan will use the money to help reduce energy consumption in public buildings by 20% by 2012, and create new markets for renewable energy systems, particularly wind energy.

The grant will pay for energy audits of 500 homes and businesses, conducted by the state’s two largest utilities, DTE and Consumers Energy. The audits will be used to develop energy efficiency methods to be used statewide.

The money could also be used to offer grants or loans to small businesses use more renewable energy sources.

The money will come from a $3.1 billion portion of the federal stimulus plan aimed at helping states reduce energy consumption and shift to renewable energy.

“This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help put Americans back to work, and move us toward energy independence,” Chu said in a prepared statement. “It reflects our commitment to support innovative state and local strategies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while insisting that taxpayer dollars be spent responsibly.”

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who accompanied Chu in Battle Creek, said the federal grants will help the state diversity its economy by promoting the renewable energy industry and create jobs.

Michigan will coordinate a state energy policy through the governor’s office, the Legislature, energy companies and consumers, according to the statement. Gov. Jennifer Granholm plans to announce further details for the use of the money.

Chu was in Battle Creek to promote President Barack Obama’s United We Serve initiative to encourage community service.

By CHRIS CHRISTOFF • FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU • June 22, 2009

Original story can be found here.

Pictures from the Hamburg Township Family Fun Fest

Hamburg Township Family Fun Fest.

June 18-21 2009
Manly W. Bennett Memorial Park, Whitmore Lake Michigan.

Hamburg Township Family Fun Fest

D & R Energy Services will be setting up a booth at the Hamburg Township Family Fun Fest.
We are hoping to raise awareness on renewable energy and how it can help local home and business owners become independent and not rely on their local power supply company.

Dates and times:
Thursday June 18, 2:00PM-7:00PM
Friday June 19, 2:00PM-7:00PM
Saturday June 21, 12:00PM-7:00PM

Manly W. Bennett Memorial Park
10405 Merrill Rd
Whitmore Lake, MI 48189

Hamburg Township on Merrill Rd., between M-36 and Strawberry Lake Rd
http://www.hamburgfunfest.com/Directions.html or google maps: Manly W. Bennett Memorial Park.

Pictures from the Brighton Business Expo

Brighton Business Expo
 
Friday, June 5 2009
Brighton Ford-Mercury, Brighton MI