Solar Power

Ann Arbor City Council may take steps to advance the city’s A2Zero Carbon Neutrality plan. As we hear from WEMU’s Taylor Bowie, voting is expected on a pair of resolutions.

The Michigan Senate approved bills Wednesday that would give state regulators final say in siting solar and wind projects. Colin Jackson has more.

New bills in the Michigan House would give state regulators the power to zone land for certain solar and wind projects. Colin Jackson has more.

A bill to support solar power production on farmland made it out of the Michigan Senate Tuesday. Colin Jackson has more.

The month of September is going to be an important one for Michigan’s Environmental and energy future. A number of measures are being considered in the state Legislature aimed increasing availability and access to more renewable energy. State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss the proposed legislation and its potential impacts.

Ann Arbor’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 will soon get a a voter-approved boost in funding. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson reports.

So much time and effort has been spend on making our homes more efficient. But what about commercial properties and businesses? A new and innovative program in Ann Arbor aimed as creating such opportunity in the area called the A2 Area Commercial Solar Program is available to businesses and property owners throughout Washtenaw County that are open to moving to solar. Ann Arbor's Senior Energy Analyst, Julie Roth, joins WEMU's David Fair to provide all the details.

Yousef Rabhi's tenure as a state representative has ended. However, he will be sworn in Wednesday evening and return to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. Rabhi joined WEMU's David Fair to fill us in on local environmental priorities in the new year and how his tenure in the Michigan Legislature may help in his return to the county board.

The pandemic continues to cause greater housing and food insecurity and the impact on area veterans is only growing. Derrick Miller is a former Marine and now heads the Ann Arbor-based Community Action Network. He says the nonprofit service organization is being put to the test by increased demand. Mr. Miller joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the increasingly creative means necessary to provide basic needs and a foundation of support for greater quality of life.

Ann Arbor voters will decide a long-term tax question in the mid-term elections. The city is asking for a 20-year, one-mill tax increase to fund its Community Climate Action plan. It’s a lofty ask, and, as WEMU’s Cathy Shafran reports, not everyone is on board.