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06/17/2007
Alternative energy to be in the spotlightTRAVERSE CITY — Organizers of the Michigan Energy Fair have some bright ideas for reviving the state's economy, and they'll be on display next weekend. The Energy Fair, set for June 22-24 at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama, will feature an array of speakers, demonstrations, and how-to advice on renewable and alternative energy sources. There's more than twice the number of exhibits and workshops from last year, reflecting a surge in interest from consumers, the power industry and state lawmakers over alternative energy options for Michigan. "People realize we need to find ways to conserve energy, and find new sources for energy,” said Jennifer Alvarado, executive director of the nonprofit Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, a fair sponsor. The event features more than 70 workshops spread across the fairgrounds "on every energy subject you can think of,” Alvarado said. Whether someone's ready to tackle a major project like installing a solar panel system or a wind turbine, or just wants to save a few bucks on utility bills, there's something of note at the fair. "This is for the average family that's struggling with energy costs, and what some new options are that they can do,” said Allan O'Shea of Copemish, the event's co-chairman and a Manistee County commissioner. But O'Shea and others have larger goals for the Energy Fair. They want to see Michigan become a leader in both development and implementation of renewable and alternative energy sources, including wind power, bio-fuels and solar energy. Some of the top energy speakers and consultants from around the Midwest will be on hand to explain what's working in their states and how their experiences can help Michigan expand its energy industry and decrease dependency on outside sources to provide power. "We've got to get Michigan back on track,” said O'Shea, who noted that Michigan presently imports 93 percent of its energy from outside its borders. "There's a lot of states that do a lot better than that.” State Rep. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, said lawmakers are ready to promote alternative energy in Michigan. "It's one sector of our economy that is starting to be a rising star,” said Walker, who's among legislators participating in the Energy Fair. "I think its time is here.” Walker has led an effort to develop uniform guidelines for siting wind power operations in Michigan, and Democratic lawmakers recently submitted a series of bills in Lansing creating tax credits and other economic incentives for renewable energy projects. There's also discussion of mandating energy companies in Michigan to have 10 to 25 percent of their energy portfolios come from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydro-electric power. "I see support on both sides of the aisle for that,” Walker said. Other fair highlights include programs on climate change, green building, recycling and composting, hybrid vehicles and organic foods. There also are bus tours of energy-efficient home construction projects and of the Michigan Energy Demonstration Center at Northwestern Michigan College. A "town meeting” on wind power in Manistee County, where developers are already scouting sites for potential wind turbines, will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the fairgrounds pavilion.
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