When we think about energy infrastructure, we tend to think in extremes: either gigantic utility scale installations that cover hundreds of acres or micro installations that cover a single garage roof. But there’s another option, an in-between option called community solar. It’s gaining momentum across the nation because in addition to potential to bring significant amounts of electricity to the grid, community solar can also keep profits in the local community and give access to renewable energy to people whose properties don’t currently enable it—people with shady lots, people who live in condos, people who rent, etc. The benefits of community solar are what convinced Michigan State Representative Rachel Hood to introduce legislation that would open up opportunity to speed and expand the development of community solar in Michigan. We invite her on Speaking of Resilience to share the details and help us fully understand what community solar means for people of the Mitten.

Speaking of Resilience is created by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and the Michigan Climate Action Network. This episode was produced by Taylor Cramer of Cold Shower Media in collaboration with Nick Loud of the Boardman Review, and hosted by Kate Madigan.

Unflagging persistence and sharp legal insight enabled the attorneys at Environmental Law & Policy Center to convince the Michigan Public Service Commission that climate impacts must be considered in the environmental assessment of the proposed Enbridge Line 5 oil tunnel. The decision was a historic first: No project had ever had to answer to CO2 emissions under the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. The implications of that decision became more clear recently when four renowned experts—hired by ELPC and co-intervenor Michigan Climate Action Network—provided testimony to the MPSC that showed how Michigan, the Great Lakes Region, and the earth beyond would suffer because of CO2 emissions resulting from an oil tunnel, and pointing out that there are feasible alternatives. In this episode of Speaking of Resilience, host Kate Madigan invites the ELPC’s lead attorney on the case, Margrethe Kearney, to explore key takeaways from the expert testimony and to sketch out what comes next in the tunnel permit process.

Speaking of Resilience is created by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and the Michigan Climate Action Network. This episode was produced by Taylor Cramer of Cold Shower Media in collaboration with Nick Loud of the Boardman Review, and hosted by Kate Madigan.

With votes expected this month on two historically huge spending bills moving through Congress—one focused on broad infrastructure and the other focused on climate action—we ask Bentley Johnson and Sara Chieffo, top government affairs staff with the League of Conservation Voters, to shed light on the bills’ status and what they might mean for Michigan if they pass. Starting things off, Sara Chieffo, Vice President of Government Affairs for the national organization, helps us understand the magnitude and potential of this legislation and what it will take to get it approved. In the second half of the episode, host Kate Madigan invites Bentley Johnson, Federal Government Affairs Director with the Michigan LCV, to examine how the big federal dollars could play out on the ground here in the Mitten. Our guests share this essential message: don’t underestimate the power of your voice. Let officials at all levels of government know you demand urgent and meaningful action on climate change.

Speaking of Resilience is created by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and the Michigan Climate Action Network. This episode was produced by Taylor Cramer of Cold Shower Media in collaboration with Nick Loud of the Boardman Review, and hosted by Kate Madigan.