Michigan tribes receive $38 million

by orionontv | Sep 16, 2024 | Environmental

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2024
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

Michigan tribes receive $38 million from the Biden-Harris administration to take climate action, implement community-driven clean energy projects

Tribes to install solar, improve energy efficiency, upgrade housing, and more with new resources from the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected four tribes in Michigan to receive more than $38 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) made available by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The awards to these four tribes in Michigan make up nearly 10 percent of the CPRG tribal award dollars nationally.

These awards will empower tribes across the state to implement community-driven climate solutions, supporting their efforts to lower costs, upgrade infrastructure, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate clean energy solutions. Projects will support solar installations, energy efficiency and electrification improvements, recycling services, electric vehicle infrastructure, and more.

“Michigan is committed to working with our tribal communities to drive projects and investments that lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs, protect our natural resources, and help achieve the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan,” said Phil Roos, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). “Tribes in Michigan have been long-standing leaders in climate action. These investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will accelerate their efforts and further position Michigan as a national leader in clean energy, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

Bay Mills Indian Community will receive $17.3 million to install a ground-mounted solar farm and battery storage system that will provide Tribal citizens in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan with clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. The award also creates a workforce development program to train Tribal members to fill new high-quality clean energy jobs.
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will receive $14.9 million to undertake energy efficiency assessments and upgrade low-income Tribal housing units and businesses. The award also supports the solar arrays on residential and commercial buildings, allowing the tribe to meet a majority of their energy needs with renewable energy.
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi will receive $1.2 million to take climate action across multiple sectors, including expanding Tribal recycling programs, converting the commercial vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, promoting energy-efficient lighting fixtures in the local greenhouse, and supporting habitat restoration efforts.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians will receive $5 million to install solar, retrofit buildings with HVAC Air-source and ground source heat pumps, and develop and install electric vehicle charging stations across the Tribal government campus.

These four awards are among 34 applications and $300 million in funding from the CPRG program that will cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas pollution nationally by over seven million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050—equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted from nearly 1.4 million homes’ electricity use for one year. More information on CPRG tribal awards can be found on the EPA’s website.

EGLE is committed to working with Michigan’s federally-recognized tribes to advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. In August, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that EGLE had received $129.1 million from the EPA under the CPRG program to launch the Renewable Ready Communities (RRC), a program that will provide financial incentives, technical assistance, and more to support the deployment of utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage that is permitted through local processes. The state’s award reserved at least $10 million for projects and support for tribal communities.

Michigan Leads on Clean Energy

Two years after the passage of the Biden-Harris Administration’s IRA, Michigan continues to secure funding to create a brighter future for Michiganders. According to a recent report, Michigan is No. 1 in the nation for winning IRA-funded projects, resulting in more than $26 billion in new investments across the state, supporting over 21,000 good-paying jobs. The investments, along with Governor Whitmer’s clean energy laws and bipartisan economic development tools, are growing the middle class, creating good-paying jobs, bringing supply chains home, lowering energy costs for families, and positioning Michigan to achieve the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

“Michigan continues to lead the way in drawing down billions of dollars in federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act to support our climate goals and create a more sustainable future,” said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “This funding is driving investments that will be felt for generations by lowering energy costs, protecting our water and air, creating good-paying jobs, and reshoring our supply chain to ensure Michigan remains a key hub for clean energy innovation and infrastructure development.”

For more information on Michigan’s success in leveraging IRA funds, check out this press release.

About the CPRG Program

The EPA’s CPRG program provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under the IRA, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.

$3.6 million in grants for invasive species projects

by orionontv | Sep 3, 2024 | Environmental

Michigan Invasive Species Program banner

News Release

Sept. 3, 2024
Contact: Joanne Foreman, 517-284-5814 or Erin Campbell, 269-300-9698

$3.6 million in grants available for invasive species projects in Michigan

Proposals accepted through Nov. 1

Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2024 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants.

The program – a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development – is celebrating the 10th year of the statewide initiative launched in 2014 to help prevent, detect and control invasive species in Michigan.

The handbook cover featuring a photo of beachfront dunes with insets of phragmites, lesser celandine and a crayfish.

Invasive species are those that are not native and whose introduction causes harm to Michigan’s economy, environment or human health.

“The challenge of harmful invasive species in Michigan is bigger than any one department in state government,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “It takes cooperation, education, and effective tools like the Michigan Invasive Species Grant to counter the threat these invaders pose to our environment, economy, and well-being – on land and in our waters.”

Program handbook, webinar

The 2024 grant program handbook outlines program priorities and application guidelines. Applicants also can take advantage of a webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m. to learn more about general grant information, the application process and 2024 priorities.

Both the handbook and webinar registration information are available at Michigan.gov/MISGP. A recorded version of the webinar will be available on that webpage after Sept. 10.

2024 priorities

This year, the program is seeking proposals for projects to address the following priorities.

A woman with a backpack sprayer treats invasive plants near a chain-link fence.

Improving public adoption of decontamination practices like cleaning recreation equipment between uses or purchasing local firewood.
Detecting and responding to watch list species in high-risk areas.
Improving understanding and developing response plans for watch list species or others that may pose future risks to Michigan.
Implementing and evaluating control projects for high-priority invasive species.
Finding innovative and efficient control methods.
Increasing biological and ecological understanding of invasive species to improve detection and control.
Developing or improving risk assessments, best control practices and other resources to inform management decisions.
Supporting Michigan’s 22 cooperative invasive species management areas, or CISMAs, in implementing strategic plans for outreach, detection and control of regional priority species.

Applicants should review the full list of priorities provided in the MISGP Handbook and communicate with technical contacts if questions arise.

Program progress

The Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program supports projects throughout the state that prevent, detect, manage and eradicate invasive species on the ground and in the water. Total program funding is set by the Legislature and the governor during the annual budget cycle.

In the last 10 years, the program has awarded over $36 million to 269 projects, resulting in education, identification and management of invasive species including hemlock woolly adelgid insects, European frog-bit plants and mile-a-minute weed. Because of this program, more than 664,000 acres of land and water have been surveyed and approximately 53,000 acres have been treated for invasive species.

Highlights of the 2023 invasive species program are available in the Michigan Invasive Species Program Annual Report, which includes program-funded projects.

Regional CISMAs operate in all of Michigan’s 83 counties, assisting the public in identifying and managing invasive species. Contact information for individual CISMAs can be found at Michigan.gov/Invasives in the Take Action section.

Important program dates and information

Local, state, federal and tribal units of government, nonprofit organizations and universities may apply for funding to support invasive species projects in Michigan. Full project proposals are due Nov.1. The award announcement is anticipated in March 2025.

Grant requests for general projects can range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $400,000. CISMAs can request up to $70,000 for annual implementation of prevention, detection and control activities and up to $40,000 for specific outreach and/or survey and treatment projects.

There are no match requirements for the program, and match documentation will not be accepted as part of the application.

Competitive applications will outline clear objectives, propose significant ecological benefits, demonstrate diverse collaboration and show strong community support.

All applications must be submitted through the MiGrants online system. Applicants can access the system at MiGrants.Intelligrants.com or follow the link at Michigan.gov/MISGP.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Environment, Great Lakes and Energy; and Natural Resources.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Handbook: The 2024 Michigan Invasive Species Program handbook is available at Michigan.gov/MISGP.

Spraying stiltgrass: Jena Johnson of Southwest by Southwest CISMA treats a patch of invasive stiltgrass. Photo courtesy of SWxSW CISMA.

OC Achieves LEED Gold in Environmental Leadership

by Becky Andrus | Aug 30, 2024 | Environmental

Oakland County Achieves LEED Gold in Environmental Leadership

Post Date:08/28/2024 3:40 PM

Oakland County earned LEED Gold^®certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The USGBC recognizes the county’s commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability practices.
Oakland County is part of a growing group of governments certified using the LEED for Cities & Communities rating system.

Pontiac, Mich. – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has certified all of Oakland County as LEED^® Gold because of its commitment to improving holistic, county-wide sustainability practices.

The LEEDGold recognition means Oakland County earned high scores countywide for its green spaces, natural resource conservation and restoration efforts, as well as resilience and emergency planning. Many other factors are included in the measurement such as quality of life aspects including low unemployment rates, high education completion rates, favorable median air quality index numbers and low incidences of violent crimes.

Environmental sustainability is one of eight strategic goals by County Executive Dave Coulter’s administration that guide Oakland County.

“Oakland County’s achievement of LEED Gold certification underscores our deep commitment to sustainability and reflects County Executive Dave Coulter’s vision of fostering healthier, more resilient communities,” Chief Sustainability Officer Erin Quetell said. “This recognition is a testament to the county and its communities driving real, measurable change in environmental stewardship and quality of life for our residents.”

Local governments and communities achieve the certification by implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at improving sustainability and the standard of living for residents. LEED is designed to help buildings, communities and cities achieve high performance in key areas of social, economic and environmental sustainability.

During certification, communities implement plans to reduce their energy consumption, carbon emissions, and more to improve air and water quality, foster better health outcomes, and create green jobs. LEED also helps communities track and measure their efforts against key quality of life metrics, such as education, safety, prosperity and equitability.

Oakland County also earned gold certification for its environmental leadership from the statewide Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program in May.

About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to transforming how buildings and communities are designed, built and operated to create thriving, healthy, equitable and resilient places that advance human and environmental wellbeing. USGBC leads market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

EGLE announces $9.7 million in MI Clean Water grants

by orionontv | Jul 29, 2024 | Environmental

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2024
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

EGLE announces $9.7 million in MI Clean Water grants to help Michigan communities upgrade water infrastructure, protect health, environment

Combined sewer separation in Dearborn, protection from PFAS near Cadillac, and work toward lead service line removals in 13 communities are among $9.7 million in state grants recently awarded to Michigan cities, villages, and townships to protect public health and Michigan’s water resources.

The MI Clean Water Plan grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and support from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aim to help communities upgrade aging infrastructure, ensure healthy drinking water, and protect Michigan’s environment.

Seventy percent of Michiganders are served by more than 1,000 community wastewater systems and a similar percentage get drinking water from community water systems. Those systems often struggle to find resources to address legacy issues like aging drinking water and storm water facilities and emerging challenges like new standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Legislature, and federal agencies have ramped up funding for aging water infrastructure – a critical move to help ensure those water systems continue to protect public health and the environment, including Michigan’s unmatched freshwater resources.

More than half of EGLE’s budget has traditionally passed through to Michigan cities, towns, villages, and other local government agencies to finance critical improvements that help them better protect residents and our natural resources.

“Working with Michigan’s villages, towns, and cities to improve critical water systems is incredibly gratifying,” said Phil Roos, EGLE director. “We’re helping fill a critical need that will help protect people and ease the financial strain on communities.”

Grant roundup

Grants through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund:

City of Dearborn Heights for $2,487,500. The project is for separation of combined sewers associated with Combined Sewer Overflow Outfall L-41. This includes construction of approximately 6,125 linear feet of storm sewers ranging from 12 to 36 inches in diameter.

Grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund:

City of Garden City for $445,495. This project will replace approximately 9,200 linear feet of water main along Marquette Street and install approximately 3,600 linear feet of water main for looping along Radcliff Street and Cherry Hill Road. The project will also replace an estimated 20 lead service lines (LSL) on Marquette Street, in addition to an estimated 180 LSLs throughout Garden City, focusing on areas west of Merriman Road and south of Marquette Street.

Technical, Managerial, and Financial grants:

Eight water systems received grants for work in identifying or verifying lead service lines in preparation for replacement. The process to accomplish this effort includes hydrovacing on either side of each curb stop and performing in-building investigation to document service line materials. These projects include restoration to original condition of hydrovaced locations. Hydrovacing involves a piece of equipment using high-pressure water to cut and liquefy the soil, while simultaneously using a high-volume vacuum to remove the soil from the excavation.

Recipients and their respective amounts:

Carrollton Township: $600,000
City of Cheboygan: $570,000
Village of Maple Rapids: $130,300
City of Pontiac (through Oakland County): $580,700
Bergland Township: $89,035
Village of Mayville: $479,349
City of Ecorse: $600,000
City of Utica: $512,500
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department: $600,000
Village of Paw Paw: $137,500
Village of St. Charles: $597,327
City of Ironwood: $598,000
Village of Chesaning: $507,000

Affordability and Planning grants (assisting communities in planning and affording water infrastructure improvements including lead service line replacements):

Summit Township: $39,000
City of Hamtramck: $183,829
City of Highland Park: $500,000

***(Reminder: Register for EGLE’s Great Lakes Drinking Water Conference, September 25-26 in Novi.)

Descriptions of funding sources

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: Low-interest loan program to help public water systems finance the costs of replacement and repair of drinking water infrastructure to protect public health and achieve or maintain compliance with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The DWSRF provides loans to water systems for eligible infrastructure projects. As water systems repay their loans, the repayments and interest flow back into the DWSRF to support new loans. ARPA funding operates as a grant and may be used in combination with loan dollars to reduce the financial burden on communities to pay for capital improvement debt. ARPA funded grants awarded this fiscal year: $218,398,719.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund: Used by local municipalities to finance construction of water pollution control projects. These projects include wastewater treatment plant upgrades and expansions, combined or sanitary sewer overflow abatement, new sewers designed to reduce existing sources of pollution, and other publicly owned wastewater treatment efforts that improve water quality. The CWSRF can also finance storm water infrastructure projects to reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution caused by things like agricultural runoff to lakes, streams, and wetlands. As with the DWSRF, ARPA funds can be used in conjunction with CWSRF loan dollars, thereby reducing the debt communities pay for infrastructure improvements. ARPA-funded grants awarded this fiscal year: $137,982,009.

Drinking Water Asset Management Program: Provides grant funding to assist drinking water suppliers with asset management plan development and updates, and/or distribution system materials inventories as defined in Michigan’s revised Lead and Copper Rule. Awarded this fiscal year: $19,695,817.

Consolidation and Contamination Risk Reduction Program: Established to aid drinking water systems to help remove or reduce PFAS or other contaminants. Awarded this fiscal year: $20,336,215.

Substantial Public Health Risk Project Program: Protects public and environmental health by removing direct and continuous discharges of wastewater from surface water or groundwater. Awarded this fiscal year: $8,000,000.

Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program: Provides states and territories with grants to public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS.

Technical, Managerial, and Financial Grants: Funds for work related to the physical verification of service lines at properties where lead is suspected but not confirmed or where service line material is unknown but likely contains lead.

Affordability and Planning Grants: These grants are designed to assist communities in planning and affording water infrastructure improvements including lead service line replacements.

Additional Background

Since January 2019 the State of Michigan has invested over $4 billion to upgrade drinking water, storm water, and wastewater facilities across the state, supporting over 57,000 jobs.
In 2022, Governor Whitmer signed a package of bills to help communities access funding for water infrastructure.

Seven Michigan water systems receive national fluoridation awards

by orionontv | Jul 29, 2024 | Environmental

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Seven Michigan water systems receive national fluoridation awards

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announces seven Michigan water systems have been awarded the 2023 Community Water Fluoridation 50 Year Award from the American Dental Association, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The seven systems are Allegan, Bangor, Blissfield, Boyne City, Manchester, New Buffalo and Portage.

Recipients are recognized for continuously adjusting and maintaining the amount of fluoride in drinking water for the prevention of tooth decay in adults and children. The award is given to those communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water for 50 consecutive years, starting in 1973.

“MDHHS celebrates the Michigan communities exceeding CDC recommendations by having 90 percent of our population on community water systems accessing fluoridated water,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “These awards demonstrate the commitment to high quality water determined by CDC. Water fluoridation has proven its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay throughout one’s lifetime and keeping Michigan residents healthy.”

Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water to a level that is optimal for preventing tooth decay. It has been recognized by the CDC as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. The CDC recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective and inexpensive method of preventing decay.

In 2023, a total of 86 public water systems in 26 states received these awards, including seven communities in Michigan. Nationally, nearly 75% (more than 211 million people) served by community water systems have access to optimally fluoridated tap water.

For more information about community water fluoridation, visit the CDC website.

EGLE: grants to drive Lake Michigan Circuit program

by orionontv | Jul 17, 2024 | Environmental

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 17, 2024
Jeff Johnston, EGLE Public Information Officer, [email protected], 616-231-9304
Jake Wilkinson, Supervisor, Energy Services, Recycling and Energy Section, EGLE Materials Management Division, [email protected], 517-290-7995

Accelerating an EV road trip: EGLE announces grants to drive Lake Michigan Circuit program

Awards of more than $900,000 will support charging stations

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded 17 grants totaling $905,567 for electric vehicle charging stations to continue development of the multistate Lake Michigan Circuit initiative.

These grants support Michigan’s efforts to build out reliable, accessible charging infrastructure, supporting the goals of the state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan and MI Future Mobility Plan.

“Michiganders who have made the transition to electric vehicles need to know accessible, reliable charging stations are available to them as they enjoy everything our state has to offer,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “The Lake Michigan Circuit will allow travelers to experience Lake Michigan and visit our coastal communities and attractions along and around the route. This is not only a step in building out our charging infrastructure, it’s an opportunity to offer the best new road trip for electric vehicle owners across the country.”

The Lake Michigan Circuit is an electric vehicle (EV) charging initiative along 1,100 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline to support coastal tourism in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. The states have partnered to create a scenic route with reliable charging stations at recreational areas, hospitality businesses, and entertainment attractions to provide EV drivers a long-distance road trip free from range anxiety.

EGLE participates in the effort in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification.

“The Lake Michigan Circuit perfectly aligns with our state’s vision of providing greater access to charging infrastructure for all Michiganders.” said Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson. “Together, we are committed to collaborating across state government and with our partners in education and industry to advance our promise of accessible and sustainable mobility options.”

The newly announced grants will help install direct charge/fast charging (DCFC) stations and Level 2 chargers along the west coast of Michigan. Funding was awarded through EGLE’s Materials Management Division (MMD) Sustainability Section’s Charge Up Michigan program and made available through the Volkswagen Settlement Trust for fiscal year (FY) 2024.

The following applicants received awards this grant cycle:

Adelaide Point Qualified Opportunity Zone Business, Muskegon: $70,000 toward one 200 kilowatt (kW) DCFC ($113,245 match funding).
Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn, Traverse City: $5,000 toward one 7.2 kW Level 2 charger ($18,317 match funding).
Cloverland Electric Cooperative:
- Manistique: $96,285 toward one 180 kW DCFC ($60,800 match funding).
- St. Ignace: $96,285 toward one 180 kW DCFC ($58,733 match funding).

City of Frankfort: $5,000 toward one 19.9 kW Level 2 charger ($22,000 match funding).
City of Manistee: $10,000 toward two 12 kW Level 2 chargers ($32,736 match funding), $10,000 toward a second location with two 12 kW Level 2 chargers ($32,736 match funding), and $63,960 toward one 160 kW DCFC ($128,112 match funding).
Red E Charging:
- Bridgman: $135,831 toward two 320 kW DCFC ($272,069 match funding).
- Grand Haven: $57,619 toward one 240 kW DCFC ($138,721 match funding).
- New Buffalo: Two awards of $10,000 each toward two 19.2 kW Level 2 chargers ($23,630 match funding each).
- South Haven: $255,344 toward four 320 kW DCFC ($511,456 match funding).

City of South Haven: $10,000 toward one 19.2 kW Level 2 charger ($23,630 match funding).
Universal EV:
- Grand Haven: $60,278 toward one 90 kW DCFC $122,382 match funding).
- Muskegon: $4,985 toward one 11.2 kW Level 2 charger ($10,125 match funding).
- South Haven: $4,980 toward one 11.2 kW Level 2 charger ($10,110 match funding).

These awards come after the announcement of a FY 2025 budget deal that included over $30 million to build out Michigan’s electric vehicle charging network as well as resources to support hydrogen fueling, inductive charging, and fleet transition efforts.

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