Cliffs Riffs - Stuph n Nonsense

Renewable Energy & Protecting the Environment Should Not Be Partisan Politics   Originally published in The Lowell Ledger 7/7/2022   Why on Earth has protecting our environment and conserving natural resources by “going green” in any way we can is turned into a partisan, Democrat vs Republican thing? It should not be this way. Please stick with me and read this whole column before you toss the paper in the trash bin, or better yet the recycle bin. I am hoping I can challenge the thinking of both Blue and Red readers.  The Eagle is the symbol of our country – it is not a mascot for the Red or Blue team. One of the best things I have seen in my lifetime is the return of eagles, not only in Michigan, but all over the country they symbolize. When I was a kid in the early 1970s, my mom had me read Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” a book about how we were trashing our environment. At that time, DDT and other pesticides were decimating eagles and other birds of prey...

People who are concerned about the well being of our planet's natural resources and the effects we are having on the planet can easily be overwhelmed into thinking we are all seriously screwed. It is easy for any of us to focus on all the past, existing, and potential damage we are doing to the planet and feel like there is no way to make a difference - there is no way to undo all the harm. I would contend that it is possible to focus on the full part of the glass without ignoring the empty. Part of the solar array installed at Sue's house this fall. I see people all around me doing what they can to turn the tide both in a practical manner and even in an informational manner. On the practical side - I have two friends who have added solar arrays to their homes in the last 30 days. In early November Sue and her family put panels on their house and have even started sharing the difference they are seeing in their electricity situation as their system incorporates...

I just spent an informative hour with Steve Donkersloot, the General Manager of Lowell Light & Power.  (Steve is the tallest person in the picture of LLP people above. ) We got together because I had lots of questions about Green Energy in Lowell, so Steve invited me over. Let me share some of the high lights with you of all the things I learned. First, let me brag a little. The State of Michigan has mandated that all electric utilities acquire 15% of their total energy from renewable sources by 2021. Steve told me this morning that as of right now, LLP is on track to be at 20% or slightly more by 2020. Fantastic, they are on course now to go above and beyond the State requirements by exceeding the target number SOONER. Win - win. Another great part of the above equation is that all of LLP customers who are so inclined can help that number get higher faster. There are about 2,300 residential and 500 commercial customers of LLP. Any or all of us can designate how much g...