sustainability

Officials gathered on Wednesday to cut the ribbon for a solar array in the parking lot of the Washtenaw County Human Services Building in Ypsilanti. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

A significant milestone has been reached for the City of Ann Arbor as 500 rental units now meet the city’s newly enforced green standards. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

The August 4th primary elections are right around the corner. One of the most closely watched races in our region is the Democratic primary race for Mayor of Ann Arbor. Christopher Taylor is the Incumbent Mayor, seeking reelection for what will be his final term. His opponent, Yousef Rabhi, is a self-described “Democratic Socialist” and currently serves as a member of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor spoke to Rabhi about his campaign and what his goals are for the city if he is elected.

The August 4th primary elections are right around the corner. One of the most closely watched races in our region is the Democratic primary race for Mayor of Ann Arbor. Christopher Taylor is the Incumbent Mayor, seeking reelection for what will be his final term. His opponent, Yousef Rabhi, is a self-described “Democratic Socialist” and currently serves as a member of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor spoke to Taylor about his reelection campaign and what he has accomplished during his time in office.

Ann Arbor officials are seeking input from local businesses and institutions to help develop its Circular Economy Action Plan. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

Because of federal funding rollbacks for environmental programs, city and local governmental units are looking to more public-private partnerships. With Ann Arbor looking to become carbon neutral by the year 2030, such partnerships are crucial. WEMU's David Fair talked with the Director of the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, Missy Stults, on the importance of expanding such partnerships.

The march toward carbon neutrality in Ann Arbor continues. In enacting the measures needed to make the A2ZERO plan work by the goal date of 2030, it has to be approached from a variety of angles. That includes boots on the ground. That’s where the Ann Arbor Climate Corps comes in. It helps bridge the gap between city policy and neighborhood level implementation, and it’s been working so far. But now, there is the potential elimination of federal AmeriCorps funding. Maggie Halpern is program manager for Ann Arbor Climate Corps. In her conversation with WEMU's David Fair, she talks about what options are being considered, should that come to pass, and the work the Climate Corps will continue doing in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor is laying down the groundwork for its renewable energy utility in the city’s Bryant neighborhood near Ellsworth. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

Large-scale data centers are increasing in number. They can use a lot of land, water and energy. In the meantime, wind and solar farms are part of the renewable energy future. Where to put them, and how to responsibly deal with land use issues, is difficult. These decisions can have a particular impact on our rural communities and the people who live there. Are we prepared for that future? WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters CEO and President, Lisa Wozniak, wanted to know about potential benefits and consequences. They talked it over with Dr. Sarah Mills, the Director of the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute's Center for EmPowering Communities.

Ann Arbor’s Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) program for grid reliability and energy affordability in Ann Arbor is expected to launch next week. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.