First-in-the-U.S. public wireless EV charging road

First-in-the-U.S. public wireless EV charging road

by | Sep 21, 2022 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       MDOT MEDIA CONTACT        ELECTREON CONTACT
September 21, 2022                  Michael Frezell                        Janine Ward
517-281-6519                          313-536-7806
[email protected]        [email protected] 

Partners on the first-in-the-U.S. public wireless EV charging road, MDOT and Electreon enter into agreement
 to explore larger road deployment 

Fast facts:
– Electreon was selected to build a public wireless in-road charging system to pilot on a 1-mile section of road in Detroit.
– MDOT and Electreon have signed a five-year agreement to develop and work toward implementing a scalable wireless public in-road charging network.
– Research and lessons learned as part of this agreement will help to develop best practices framework for wireless electric road system implementation and management in all of Michigan. 

LANSING, Mich. and LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Today, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Electreon have entered into a five-year agreement to develop and work toward implementing a scalable wireless public in-road charging network for electric vehicles (EV). A first in the United State, the in-road system charges EVs while in motion or stationary.

“This agreement helps solidify Michigan as the U.S. leader in developing and implementing a wireless in-road charging network,” State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said. “We now can work toward better policy and regulatory framework that provides a welcoming environment for this unique technology. Ultimately, the research and work conducted on this project will help lead to large-scale deployment across Michigan and the U.S.”

Under the agreement, MDOT and Electreon will work collaboratively to develop best practices for a wireless electric road system (ERS) implementation and management and add strategic partners. They will analyze the benefits associated with ERS pertaining to pressure on the grid and cost associated with large-scale electrification of the transportation sector, integrate it in the 2045 electrification strategy, leverage state and federal funding, and explore possible business models for ERS to serve as a revenue stream for the state and as an attractive alternative for fleet operators. Reduction of pollution will be addressed, especially in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and public transit agencies will be engaged to ensure accessibility to the wireless ERS infrastructure.

“The potential for electrifying roads and cities is practically endless and working together with MDOT we are reshaping the future of transportation,” said Oren Ezer, CEO and co-founder of Electreon. “Through ongoing collaboration on our Detroit project, MDOT has proven to be innovative leaders in the industry. We’re excited to enter into this agreement to create a blueprint for scaling wireless charging for all EVs across Michigan and the U.S. and look forward to aligning with additional DOTs in the future.”

In February of this year, the State of Michigan announced Electreon was awarded a contract to build a 1-mile ERS in Detroit. The company is leading the development, design, evaluation, iteration, testing, and implementation of the inductive vehicle charging pilot program, which aims to be operational as of 2023. Working with NextEnergy and Jacobs Engineering Group, the project is being hosted by and live within Michigan Central, a mobility innovation district, and supported by partners like Ford Motor Co., DTE Energy, and the City of Detroit.

The parties believe that electrified roadways have the potential to accelerate adoption of EVs by consumers and fleet operations alike by enabling continuous vehicle operations and turning public streets into safe and sustainable shared energy assets. The State of Michigan is exploring electrifying state-owned vehicles by 2030, including EV trucks, vans, and cars.
Final Adopt-A-Highway of the year is Sept. 24-Oct. 2

Final Adopt-A-Highway of the year is Sept. 24-Oct. 2

by | Sep 20, 2022 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                MEDIA CONTACT
September 20, 2022                                                                           Dan Weingarten
906-250-4809
[email protected]

 

Final Adopt-A-Highway cleanup coming Saturday

Fast facts:

– The final Adopt-A-Highway of the year is Sept. 24-Oct. 2.

– Adopt-A-Highway volunteers regularly collect more than 60,000 bags of litter annually.

– Sections of highway are still available to adopt. Go to www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway

 for more information.

 LANSING, Mich. ­– Before the leaves start to turn and fall, thousands of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Adopt-A-Highway volunteers will fan out across the state to collect litter along highway roadsides from Saturday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 2.

This is the third and final scheduled pickup period of the year.

Every year, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers regularly collect more than 60,000 bags of trash. The popular program began in Michigan in 1990 and has grown to involve more than 2,900 groups cleaning more than 6,000 miles of highway.

Motorists should be on the lookout for the groups as the clean the roadsides beginning Saturday. When working in a highway right of way, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash.

Getting involved in the program is straightforward. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. Groups are asked to adopt a section of highway for at least two years. There is no fee to participate. Adopt-A-Highway signs bearing group names are posted along the stretches of adopted highway.

Sections of highway are available for adoption all over the state. Interested groups can get more information on joining the program at www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway.
Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Sharon Gire 

Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Sharon Gire 

by | Sep 20, 2022 | Regional News

Office of the Governor header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 20, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Former State Representative Sharon Gire

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, September 21 to honor and remember former state Representative Sharon Gire. The flag lowering will coincide with a memorial resolution from the Michigan House of Representatives in her honor.

 

“Representative Sharon Gire’s commitment to service left a lasting impact on her community, constituents, and those who called her a friend,” said Governor Whitmer. “Sharon was a passionate advocate for children’s rights and for survivors of domestic abuse. Michigan is a better place because of her service, and my thoughts are with her family, friends, and constituents as we honor her legacy.”

 

Gire’s career in public service began with leadership roles in the YWCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters and other community organizations. She went on to serve on the Mount Clemens City Commission, on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, in the Michigan House of Representatives, and on the Michigan State Board of Education. Gire was also the director of Michigan’s Office of Services to the Aging under Governor Jennifer Granholm.

 

“The communities of Mount Clemens, Fraser and Clinton Township, as well as the entire State of Michigan, were all positively impacted through the dedicated leadership of Sharon Gire,” said Rep. William Sowerby, D-Clinton Township. “During and after her years in elected and appointed government offices, Sharon’s friendship and mentorship made a lasting impression on so very many other leaders, including myself.”

 

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of Representative Sharon Gire by lowering flags to half-staff.

 

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

 

Flags should be returned to full staff on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

 
Whitmer Announces 100 Winners of MET $1.5 Million Giveaway

Whitmer Announces 100 Winners of MET $1.5 Million Giveaway

by | Sep 20, 2022 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     

September 20, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Announces 100 Winners of MET $1.5 Million Giveaway

100 Michigan children to benefit from $15,000 each in prepaid tuition 

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced 100 winners of the Michigan Education Trust’s (MET) 35-year anniversary $1.5 Million Giveaway – a random, statewide drawing that friends and family could enter on behalf of a child for a chance to win one of 100 $15,000 prepaid tuition prizes.

 

“This giveaway celebrates MET’s 35 years of providing life-changing opportunities for Michiganders to save for children’s higher education and pave their way for a better future,” said Governor Whitmer. “As a MET alumna myself, this program is near and dear to my heart. My parents used MET to save for my future education and I’m guessing there are a lot of future leaders in all walks of life out there right now whose families are saving with MET.”

 

The governor was joined by Bureau Director Robin Lott of the Michigan Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning, within the Department of Treasury, MET Alumna Lisa Ingall, MET alumnus Nick Armes, and 10 of the 100 winners from all corners of the state.

 

A prudent investment strategy over the last decade resulted in a record surplus for MET, which can now be used to invest in Michiganders. Earlier this year, the MET Board of Directors unanimously agreed to use a portion of the surplus to elevate awareness of MET and provide more Michigan children with access to higher education that will help them prepare to compete in a modern workforce and solve future challenges.

 

Under MET’s giveaway, Michigan residents 18 years or older on August 31, 2022, were eligible to enter on behalf of children ages birth to 5 by the same date for a chance to win $15,000 in prepaid tuition. The prepaid tuition prize may be used to pay for future tuition and mandatory fees at a community college, college, university or trade school in accordance with MET terms and conditions.

 

“For 35 years, MET has been providing families peace of mind as they work to help provide their children with a debt-free start to pursue their dreams,” said Bureau Director Robin Lott of the Michigan Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning. “We are excited to shine a $1.5 million spotlight on MET and show parents, grandparents and others how it’s a safe, secure and flexible way to make sure their loved ones meet their future education and career goals. Our message is to remind Michiganders that while you can’t predict the future, you sure can prepare for it.”

 

Ingall, a 1998 University of Michigan graduate who now works for KLA, a global technology company that serves the semiconductor industry with a corporate headquarters in Ann Arbor, was part of the inaugural MET class.

 

“My mother told me when I was in elementary school, “You’re getting a college degree before you ever think about getting married,” said MET Alumna Lisa Ingall. “Her MET investment was the beginning of a hand-me-down tradition in our family of using the MET savings plan to make college more affordable for myself and other relatives – including my sister, my son, and soon my two nieces.”

 

In 2022, MET alumnus Armes landed a job with Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays after graduating from Central Michigan University.

 

“My journey to the big leagues didn’t start with my first glove, a new bat or a pitching regimen in my backyard,” said MET alumnus Nick Armes, a Livonia native who is director of fan experience at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay. “It began the day my parents started saving for my higher education with the Michigan Education Trust.”

 

10 of the 100 winners told how the $15,000 will help their families.

 

  • Tiki Green, a leasing consultant from Inkster, who is both grandmother and legal guardian to Nylah, 4. She described how winning the MET prize comes on the heels of two family tragedies within the last year: the death of her 25-year-old daughter Asha (Nylah’s mother) in a car accident and the Covid-related loss of her brother and sister-in-law within hours of each other that left their 7 children without parents.
  • Justin Yow, of Lake Orion, an engineer, first-generation college graduate and father of four who designated his MET prize for his 4-year-old daughter Amelia. She wants to be a scientist.
  • Vincent Baker, of DeWitt, a manager at LiquidWeb and father of two who wants his children, Vivian and Caroline, to continue his family’s legacy as MSU Spartans.
  • Michelle Nguyen, of Waterford, an auto industry engineer and mother to three-year-old daughter Lexi Luu. Lexi Luu wants to be a doctor. Michelle immigrated to the U.S. when she was 16 and is overjoyed that her daughter will get a great start to her college education.
  • Scott Paul Bethke, of Fenton, is retired and the father of three grown triplets. He has 7 grandchildren and plans to use his MET prize for his grandson, Roman.
  • Kristy Hudson, of Ferndale, an early intervention teacher, who shed tears of joy at hearing that she can use her prize for her foster son Adam. She noted that only 3% of foster children pursue higher education and how the MET prize further helps set Adam up for success.
  • Nicole Richards, of Ferndale, a stay-at-home mother of three and MET alumna who plans to use her MET award for her son Darwin. He wants to go into medicine when he grows up.
  • Zachary White, of Allendale, a nurse practitioner at Muskegon Family Care and father of two, James and Evelyn.
  • Jameson Keating-Ehlers, of Kawkawlin in Bay County, a gas service field leader for Consumers Energy and father of three daughters, didn’t go to college himself. But he hopes the MET prize will help his daughters pursue their dreams.
  • Holly Walker, of Sanford in Midland County, a business learning leader and mother of three, Weston, Max and Josie. The Walker family is still recovering from the massive damage to their home that occurred when dams collapsed and flooded the region in 2020.  She is grateful for the peace of mind winning the MET prize gives her family after undergoing such a hardship.

 

About the Michigan Education Trust

 

Administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, MET lets families pay today’s prices for future higher education costs. Signed into law in December 1986, it was the first prepaid tuition program in the nation.

 

More than 96% of high school graduates participating in MET have attended a college, university or technical school.

 

There are three types of MET plans: the full benefits plan, the limited benefits plan and the community college plan. Families can purchase one plan or mix and match options.

 

MET benefits can be used for postsecondary education at universities, colleges and technical schools. If a child chooses to attend a private Michigan school or out-of-state college or university, funds can be directed to that institution. MET benefits may also be transferred to other eligible family members and are refundable if the student chooses to attend trade school or does not attend college.

 

Parents, grandparents or other family and friends can make MET contributions on behalf of beneficiaries. MET has flexible and convenient payment options that allow purchasers to pay as they go, pay all at once or make monthly payments.

 

Contributions to MET plans are tax deductible on Michigan tax returns. Earnings are tax exempt if they are used for qualified higher education expenses.

 

More information about MET, including one-on-one consultation sessions with MET experts, is available at SETwithMET.com, 800-MET-4-KID or [email protected].

 

Expanding access to education and skills after high school

 

Governor Whitmer believes each Michigander deserves a path to a high wage job, and she is committed to making college degrees and skill certificates available and affordable for more residents.

 

  • Set the Sixty by 30 Goal to have at least 60% of Michiganders earn a degree or skill certificate by 2030 and created the Office of Sixty by 30 to lead the state’s efforts.
  • Signed legislation to ensure students are aware of all postgraduate opportunities available to them.
  • Established and fully funded programs to provide tens of thousands of Michiganders tuition-free higher education or skills training that leads to a high-skill, good-paying job.
  • Michigan Reconnect, a program that pays tuition of Michiganders 25 and up to pursue an associate degree or earn a skills certificate in high-demand careers. Over 100,000+ applicants accepted into program.
  • Futures for Frontliners, providing a tuition-free path to postsecondary education or skills training for Michiganders who served on the frontlines of the pandemic. Over 85,000 applicants accepted into the program.
  • Partnered with colleges to improve college completion rates for students enrolled in Reconnect and Futures—and all students.

 

“See Tracks? Think Train!” during Rail Safety Week 

by | Sep 19, 2022 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT
September 19, 2022                                                                Curtis Stewart
517-974-1737
[email protected]

“See Tracks? Think Train!” during Rail Safety Week 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan Operation Lifesaver are partnering together to raise rail safety awareness during Rail Safety Week this week. Although most Americans today know the dangers associated with drunk driving, distracted driving or texting while crossing the street, many are unaware of the risks they are taking around railroad tracks.

According to preliminary statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration, 614 pedestrians were killed and 526 injured in trespassing incidents on railroad tracks in 2021, with an additional 236 fatalities and 668 injuries resulting from vehicle-train collisions at rail crossings. In fact, every three hours in the United States a vehicle or person is struck by a train. In Michigan in 2021, there were eight trespasser deaths and three injuries, along with six grade crossing fatalities and 20 grade crossing injuries. The use of headphones has likely been a factor in some of these incidents.

So, why is this happening, and what can we do about it?

In our distracted society, people may become complacent or might not understand the need for caution near railroad tracks and trains. Pedestrians and drivers often simply do not realize that it is dangerous and illegal to walk on railroad tracks or how long it takes the average freight train to stop.

Michigan Operation Lifesaver, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, works every day to make communities safer by offering free rail safety education programs in states across the nation.

Trained volunteers tell people that trains are quieter and moving faster than they appear; in some places the speed is up to 110 mph. Since it can take a mile or more for a fully loaded train to stop, by the time an engineer sees a person or vehicle on the tracks and applies the emergency brakes, it is often too late to avoid a collision.

Michigan Operation Lifesaver also conducts free training classes for first responders, school bus drivers and professional truck drivers, along with other public awareness activities to help reduce these incidents and save lives. In addition, Operation Lifesaver offers a suite of safety materials, including lesson plans for teachers, safety brochures and videos for families, and a free Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC) for first responders.

Everyone can save a life in their community by sharing the rail safety message and remembering this simple phrase: “See Tracks? Think Train!” Visit the national Operation Lifesaver website to learn more, take the Rail Safety Pledge, and find safety tips to share with your friends and family. Together, we can stop track tragedies during Rail Safety Week and all year round.

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MDOT: Working with our partners at airports, bus systems, marine and rail to find innovative solutions for
Michigan’s transportation systems.

 

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