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Energy Efficiency Pioneers: Who's Leading the Charge?

Efficiency First | May 29, 2013 | By Jim Dulzo

Four different communities—in Virginia, Michigan, and Ontario—have reached the same conclusion: When it comes to making and using energy, it’s time to replace business-as-usual with breakthrough innovation. But each community is also traveling a somewhat different path to a better energy future. Here's a look at three community energy plans in action. ...

School Garden Week starts June 2

Farm to School | May 22, 2013 | By MLUI

Schools in Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Benzie, and Antrim counties will celebrate the inaugural School Garden Week next month to draw attention to the diversity of school-based gardening projects in our region. From June 2 to June 6, the public is welcome to visit schools for “Garden Tour Days” to learn more about these projects, participate in fun garden activities, and meet the staff that helps run these programs....

The Regional Rider: Commuter Rhymes Edition

Regional Rider | May 17, 2013 | By James Bruckbauer

It's time for bikes and buses 'cause the weather's gettin' warmer. The 19th Annual Smart Commute Week is just around the corner! ...

Local Workers Crave More Transportation Choices

Choices | May 14, 2013 | By James Bruckbauer

Earlier this year, we asked about 1,500 Traverse City-area employees why they commute the way they do, and what would encourage them to use the bus, bike, or walk to work. The results were clear: While many are interested in more transportation options like transit, biking, and walking, many felt that those options aren’t available, and if they are, they aren’t convenient....

Big Crowds, Strong Support for Clean Energy at Snyder Forums

Snyder, Forums | May 13, 2013 | By Jim Dulzo

State officials are still digging out from the avalanche of comments triggered by Snyder’s seven public forums about Michigan’s energy future, which wrapped up three weeks ago....

Mandates Drive Efficiency Industry

Efficiency First | May 2, 2013 | By Jim Dulzo

As community leaders in towns like Holland, Ann Arbor, and Traverse City ponder different ways to accelerate efficiency investments by homeowners and businesses, energy services companies—or ESCOs—are emerging as a most effective way to help not only large public buildings save energy, but also private firms with smaller buildings....

Planting the Seed with Farm to School

Farm to School | May 2, 2013 | By James Russell

A plastic dishpan of potting soil, a cup of seeds and some small plastic baggies made their way around a conference room at the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. These simple materials evolved into tiny greenhouses and a mini-science lesson for teachers to engage their students on local food and agriculture. The Michigan Land Use Institute, TBAISD and FoodCorps teamed up to plant this seed—literally and figuratively—that local food and agriculture can be an integral part of the classroom....

In Search of Energy Efficiency Financing--For Everyone

Efficiency First, TCSaves | April 25, 2013 | By Jim Dulzo

Major home energy efficiency upgrades could become a common sight in Traverse City, once leaders find a very inexpensive, long-term way to finance them....

Building a conversation around school food

Farm to School | April 25, 2013 | By Kirsten Gerbatsch

A recent overhaul of the federal nutrition rules for schools is meant to provide healthier options for children. But the new requirements—including larger servings of fruits and vegetables that local farmers could grow, less sodium and fat, and more whole grains—have sparked a heated debate nationally and right here in Traverse City....

The Regional Rider: ‘Fun Fact’ Edition

Regional Rider | April 24, 2013 | By James Bruckbauer

We're uncovering a wealth of facts and figure's in a new brochure about our transportation habits. Stay tuned. We'll release the new brochure next month....

Grand Rapids Lifts Michigan Into New Era of Rapid Transit

All Aboard | April 17, 2013 | By James Bruckbauer

Last week in Grand Rapids, Gov. Snyder joined a group of state officials, business owners, and community leaders to break ground on a $40 million new bus line that’s expected to spur millions in new development and connect suburban commuters to downtown....

Big announcements at Farm Summit

Policy | April 4, 2013 | By Bill Palladino

Over the last decade, though, through the relentless and often creative efforts of organizations and entrepreneurs, a now burgeoning food and farming sector is evident at every turn. On Tuesday, March 12, the fruits of this work were celebrated during the fifth annual Farm Route to Prosperity Summit at the Hagerty Center in Traverse City. ...

Are we ready for a ‘modal shift'?

Choices | April 4, 2013 | By James Bruckbauer

As the clouds make way for the spring sun, a lot of people are dusting off their bike helmets and heading out to work on two wheels. A “modal shift” is going full-speed ahead around the state and here in Traverse City. And it’s more than a seasonal change—it’s a long-lasting shift. Just take a look around....

Efficiency Work Keeps Contractors Busy

Efficiency First, TCSaves | April 1, 2013 | By Jim Dulzo

For close to two years, more than a dozen home energy assessors, contractors, and workers from three local companies have made the city-sponsored pilot home-efficiency program tick. They’ve made more than 500 Traverse City homes—a remarkable 20 percent of the town’s owner-occupied residences—more comfortable and affordable. The success stories—and the jobs and savings they produce—could multiply dramatically if some Traverse City civic, business, and elected leaders find a way to expand TCSaves into a permanent, communitywide program....

MLUI is moving!

MLUI News | March 31, 2013 | By MLUI

MLUI is packing up and heading south, leaving behind eight-month winters and the first part of our name....

The ‘Farm Routes to Prosperity’ are getting clearer

Policy | March 14, 2013 | By Rob Sirrine

More than 115 people representing all aspects of the local food system gathered Tuesday to celebrate recent successes in promoting local food and make plans for the future...

Regional Rider: ‘Make No Little Plans’ Edition

Regional Rider | March 14, 2013 | By James Bruckbauer

Five transit agencies working together to create an interconnected regional transit system covering six counties doesn’t just happen overnight or over a few years. It takes lots of planning, lots of coordination, and effective communication....

TCSaves homeowners cheer cozier homes, lower heating bills

Efficiency First, TCSaves | February 28, 2013 | By Jim Dulzo

The two-year TCSaves program was—and is—good news for Traverse City: It kept local contractors and building supply wholesalers busy. Now it’s saving energy dollars for homeowners and keeping some of those dollars in town, rather than sending them to distant coalfields. Lessons learned from TCSaves will help the community as it moves forward with a long-term energy efficiency project for Traverse City. ...

This is what democracy looks like

Forward on Climate | February 28, 2013 | By Jim Lively

Fifty-six people. 27 students. 30 hours round-trip on a cramped bus. Four hours standing on the National Mall in frigid temps followed by a march to the White House. That’s what democracy looks like. It’s not always comfortable, but it sure is inspiring. On Saturday Feb. 16, I joined 55 other people on a bus in Traverse City headed for Washington D.C. to march in what was to be the largest climate rally ever held in the United States. ...

For Roads, State Solutions Help, But Cities Need More

All Aboard | February 28, 2013 | By James Bruckbauer

More money is needed for transportation in Michigan, especially when it comes to rebuilding our freight and passenger rail network, improving transit, maintaining the roads we already have, and building our cities. But unless state lawmakers offer more local financing tools amid the state transportation debate, city streets will continue to crumble....

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