Sierra Club and GLELC submitted comments to EGLE urging denial of a fossil gas-power plant proposed for the Brooks Industrial Park in Marshall (l). Photo from the Beyond Coal Campaign. Climate concerns about fossil-gas facilities arise at every step, from drilling and storage (r) to pipelines as well as from the burning of the gas in power plants. File photo.
Sierra Club and GLELC Urge Denial of Marshall Gas-Plant Permit
The Sierra Club and Great Lakes Environmental Law Center (GLELC) recently submitted comments to the Department of Energy, Great Lakes and Environment (EGLE) challenging the air permit of a proposed fossil gas-burning power plant in Marshall, Michigan. The 1,000 MegaWatt project is one of the largest gas power plant proposals in the Midwest and would release enormous amounts of climate-warming pollution.
“This is a slap in the face to me and my neighbors in south central Michigan who are rightfully skeptical of fossil fuels, still haunted by Enbridge’s Kalamazoo River oil spill back in 2010, and by ongoing oil drilling in Kalamazoo County. Our air and water are too precious to put at further risk,” said Craig Brainard, a Sierra Club member and volunteer leader.
The comments submitted by Sierra Club and GLELC argued this proposal directly conflicts with the governor’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition, the groups called out numerous flaws and omissions in the air permit which do not comply with Clean Air Act requirements. EGLE is currently reviewing the proposed permit and is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks. Find more details here or contact mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org.
For the People Town Hall
What’s at stake when it comes to protecting democracy?
Thursday, June 23 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Center for Community Transformation 1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Join a discussion about efforts to protect voting rights and democracy in Kent County and across Michigan with the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, NAACP of Grand Rapids, For our Future MI, We the People Michigan and Grand Rapids PROACTIVE. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is scheduled to join the conversation to share what her office is doing to make sure every voter has a chance to vote.
Michigan Chapter retreat at Camp Miniwanca, 2010. File photo.
The Michigan Chapter is Hiring
Would you like to put your passion to work to fight against climate change and for environmental justice, to protect the Great Lakes and wild places and end plastic pollution? The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter has three job openings for those interested in working for the largest, most effective, grassroots environmental organization in the country.
Michigan Chapter Director: We are actively seeking a caring, collaborative individual to lead a talented and committed team here in Michigan. Strong candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to the values of equity, inclusion and justice, as well as demonstrated leadership, personnel management and organizational skills. Experience and aptitude for working within nonprofit, volunteer-led organizations, including experience managing a budget and administrative tasks associated with directing a nonprofit organization, are crucial. Sense of humor required. Job information and how to apply can be found here.
Michigan Chapter Development Director: One of the most important roles at the Club is the individual who oversees the planning, organizing and implementation of all aspects of our fundraising program, enabling us to do the important work we do every year. Sierra Club Michigan seeks a full-time Development Director to work closely with our Chapter Director and volunteer leadership to maintain and expand our strong fundraising program. If you have experience in fundraising and the nonprofit world and would love to devote your skills and passion to our fight for a healthy climate through environmental, racial, economic and gender justice, then please consider applying for this position. Job information and how to apply can be found here.
West Michigan Clean Energy Organizer: The Michigan Chapter seeks a dedicated and hardworking individual who wants to help us move West Michigan beyond fossil-fuel dependence to clean energy. The West Michigan Clean Energy Organizer will work with national and chapter Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign staff to coordinate a broad, volunteer-based citizen education effort on energy issues throughout the region that include ensuring just transitions for retiring coal plants, recruiting, engaging and motivating individuals and groups to join the movement as well as developing strategies to make clean energy more affordable and accessible. For more information, click here.
Legislative and Political Director Christy McGillivray with Attorney General Dana Nessel (top left). Governor Gretchen Whitmer, center, with Hallie Fox of MLCV and Legislative and Political Coordinator Tim Minotas (top right). Congressman Dan Kildee (second from left) with (l to r) Nick Occhipinti of MLCV, Tim Minotas, Derrell Slaughter of NRDC, Christy McGillivray and Abby Clark of NRDC and Michigan Chapter chair.
Michigan Chapter Staff Attend the Mackinac Policy Conference
Two weeks ago, the Michigan Chapter’s legislative and political staff attended the Mackinac Policy Conference. The annual event held on Mackinac Island brings Michigan’s top lawmakers, lobbyists, business leaders, media and advocacy organizations together to discuss policy and today’s important issues in Michigan.
The Sierra Club team spoke with many partner organizations and leaders at the local, state and federal levels about many priority issues, from clean energy to water access and quality to protecting democracy. Sierra Club staff also met with Van Jones and attended events with Congressman Dan Kildee, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalyn Bliss (center) prepares to cut the ribbon on the new solar array at the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant on June 9. Photo by Jan O'Connell.
New Solar Installation Moves Grand Rapids Toward 100% Renewable Goal
Grand Rapids has moved closer to its goal of powering all city facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2025. The dedication of a ground-mounted solar array at the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant in Grand Haven Township increases the city’s renewable investment to 41% with this array, providing power to run the filtration plant. The 1.5 million kilowatt-hours per year generated by the solar installation will also save the city $1.55 million over 24 years while eliminating 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Sierra Club members have supported the longtime efforts of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalyn Bliss to get more solar installed at the city of Grand Rapids facilities. This project is the result of broad collaboration by the city with Grand Haven Charter Township and CMS Energy.
Solar array photo by Bailey Garrot, The Luupe, 2021, used with permission.
Going Solar is a Better Use of Farmland Than Ethanol
Utility-scale solar farms require large amounts of land. An individual solar farm can cover more than 1,000 acres, raising concerns about the advisability of using all of that valuable farmland. However, the facts paint a different picture. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), corn is planted on more than 90 million acres of farmland in the United States. One-third of the corn is used to produce automotive ethanol fuel.
An acre of corn could produce enough ethanol to power the average car for about 9,600 miles. On the other hand, substituting corn with an acre of solar panels in Iowa could power the average electric car for more than 710,000 miles. This is important because most car companies in America, including Ford and GM, have agreed to meet President Biden's goal of having 40 to 50% of their sales be electric by 2030. Almost all the companies have long-term goals of 100% electric.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), it would take approximately 13.6 million acres of solar panels to power the entire U.S., only about half the area currently used to produce ethanol from corn. With 34% of the total electric power needs potentially coming from rooftop solar and offsets from increased efficiency, wind and hydro sources, the acres required would be dramatically reduced.
Converting land from growing corn for ethanol to housing large scale solar arrays will make more farmland available for growing food, including by growing crops under solar arrays. Moving to clean, renewable energy from the sun is a win-win for everyone.
2022 Green Cruise is On August 13
The Southeast Michigan Group's popular Green Cruise has engaged hundreds in people-powered transportation alternatives for many years. The 2022 Green Cruiser of the Year is Brent Bacher of "Who Wants to Ride?" (front center). He is shown with past winners (left to right) Stephanie White of Biking Belle Isle (2018), Henry Ford II of Biking Palmer Woods (2021), Tracey Besek of Biking Dearborn (2018) and Tom Page of Detroit Bikers (2019). Photo provided by Jerry Hasspacher.
Join the fun as part of the 2022 Green Cruise, August 13, by signing up here for one of two rides that start at the Ferndale City Hall.
Rita Mitchell and Nancy Shiffler prepare to hike Grand Island on a Huron Valley Group outing in 2012. Photo by Stan Ferguson.
Beautiful views from Grand Island above and at bottom. Photos by Ed Steinman.
Explore and Enjoy: Grand Island
In 1990, Grand Island, the largest island off the south shore of Lake Superior, was designated a National Recreation Area as part of the Hiawatha National Forest. The sale of most of the island to the Forest Service by Cleveland Cliffs, Inc. (CCI) ensured that the 13,000+ acre island would be accessible to generations of visitors to come. The late Congressman Dale Kildee led the multiyear effort to secure acquisition and protection of this unique place, with Sierra Club members actively supporting his efforts.
Anishinaabe people have lived in the Grand Island region for hundreds of years, taking advantage of the rich food resources such as fish and berries. After CCI’s predecessor acquired the island in 1900, the company attempted to turn it into a game preserve and resort, stocking it with an eclectic variety of non-native wildlife. The planned resort failed eventually and the company turned to timber harvesting to bring in revenue but ultimately sold the property.
Visitors to Munising can’t miss the island, which is located in the middle of Munising Bay. The island’s east side echoes the sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, inviting kayakers in warm weather and ice climbers in winter. In addition to stunning views of Lake Superior, the island has a 1,500 foot-long ancient beaver dam which created Echo Lake, sand beaches and a grove of cedar trees that is more than 200 years old. There are two privately-owned lighthouses on the island, which are not open to visitors.
The island is accessible from Memorial Day weekend to October 10 via a passenger ferry or privately-owned watercraft. Hiking and camping are available to visitors with reservations required for campsites.
