The Michigan Environmental Council is a nonprofit environmental organization serving both peninsulas in protecting the state’s air, water and places we love.
MEC has a network of over 100 member organizations that work on everything from environmental research to advocacy and policy. Recently, MEC has been working on creating legislation for the protection of Michigan’s sand dunes, enabling a statewide septic code, providing alternatives to lower transport gas emissions and developing affordable housing initiatives.
One of the organization’s goals in the Upper Peninsula is to start facilitating collaborative spaces for communities working toward energy independence and clean energy transitions.
There is much to consider when discussing U.P. energy. Many communities are facing similar challenges around costly and unreliable energy sources. The complex energy landscape in the U.P. continues to impact residents, and MEC wants to ensure that available resources in Michigan include rural communities that want to be energy independent and are looking for ways to make their households more energy efficient.
To mitigate some of these challenges in the U.P., MEC received a competitive U.S. Department of Energy prize in 2023 and a funding extension in 2024. The Energizing Rural Communities Prize aims to support community-centered initiatives and develop partnerships that can help rural communities advance clean energy projects and finance their own ideas.
For MEC, the awarded funds will prioritize financial support to host or sponsor community events and workshops around energy efficiency and clean energy options available for rural communities and small businesses.
If common interest and support from community groups is there, an expanding network of local partnerships (with environmental groups, tribal leaders, researchers, utilities and others) can work on project implementation to start a shift into an energy-sustainable future.
Michigan Environmental Council is collaborating with the community-led Alger County Renewable Solutions, or ACRES, to sponsor Earth Fest and other community events highlighting clean energy alternatives.
Other U.P. environmental groups, such as the Superior Watershed Partnership, are providing home energy audits and weatherization projects to bring energy costs down for low-income U.P. families. These programs have been a great success for U.P. communities and aim to identify infrastructure that is increasing energy bills for low-income households so that it can be upgraded.
One of the upcoming Earth Fest presentations this month will highlight these recent weatherization projects and ways to navigate the application process for eligible households.
Join MEC, SWP and ACRES from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, at Gallery Coffee Co. in Munising. There will be light refreshments and opportunities to network with speakers and attendees.
Other ways to get involved There are many ways to get involved in these conversations, and MEC’s staff in the U.P. is always looking to expand the network of partners interested in clean energy.
Visit the organization’s website at environmentalcouncil.org to contact us with questions and subscribe to the statewide newsletter.
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If common interest and support from community groups is there, an expanding network of local partnerships can work on project implementation to start a shift into an energy-sustainable future.
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