Michigan

The House has blocked diverting any new water from the Great Lakes and forces bordering states to adhere to new conservation standards. In a 390-25 vote, the House approved a measure on Tuesday that will increase protection of the Great Lakes region.

Wind turbines may be built over the water in the Saginaw Bay area of Eastern Michigan if Steve Smiley gets his way.

The carbon neutral scheme of Carfax  now penetrates the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as the company will offset CO2 emissions resulting from its sponsored Ford car taking part in the 3M Performance Race in Michigan. Moreover, the company is the title sponsor of the CARFAX 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series and all direct and indirect emissions from this entire race will be offset through a donation to The Conservation Fund.

In the small town of Paradise, John Dreves collects, sorts and recycles cans to help fund local athletics. In the past four years, he has contributed more than $10,000 to Whitefish Community School and its 55 K-12 students.

The rust-belt is trying hard to turn green. Once a manufacturing mecca with smokestacks as the main metric for success the Great Lakes State is not only trying to go green but sees economic opportunity in sustainability.

Ever think about what’s on your dinner plate before digging in? Where do the poultry, greens, veggies, cheese and bread really come from? And more importantly, why should you care?

Empty paper towel rolls, ticket stubs, pipe cleaners, cardboard boxes and packing peanuts. Perhaps the items you would find in your weekly trash. But a new organization is giving fresh life to these treasures from the curb.

Each year the State of Michigan decorates a 40' Christmas tree on the Capital grounds with 5000 incandescent string lights. At the end of the season, the tree, the lights, the wire, and everything else is put in a industrial shredder. The lights cost the State more than $2000 each year and over $3000 in electricity.

A new Michigan Company is offering to see the state Eco-Friendly LED Christmas Lights for the same cost as their incandescents, but the state seems reluctant to accept the offer.

Article about Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition. This organization is putting together a youth organized summit September 28th-30th, 2007 in partnership with the Campus Climate Challenge. Register for the conference here: http://www.ssc.org/involved/registrationsup_mz.php?e=106

While the Midwest may not be leading the pack on solar power, when it comes to turning drugs and trash into energy, it's at the forefront.