Informal public meeting to learn about UP Energy Task Force to be Feb. 22 at Portage Library

The UP Energy Task Force holds a meeting on Sept. 20, 2019, at Finlandia's Jutila Center. Representatives of Plains Mainstream Canada, Enbridge, and SEMCO Energy Gas Co. gave presentations at this meeting on their companies’ roles in supplying propane and natural gas to the U.P. Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) took public comments. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)*

HOUGHTON -- On Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, come to the Portage Lake District Library from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to learn about and discuss the work of the UP Energy Task Force. Members of the Task Force will give an overview of the UP energy system and an update on the first phase of the UP Energy Task Force on propane supply. 

This meeting is an informal session, open to the public. No one will be speaking on behalf of the Task Force. It is an opportunity to learn and discuss.

The UP Energy Task Force was created by Michigan Governor Whitmer's Executive Order No. 2019-14. Its opening statement reads:
"The residents of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula ("UP") deserve an energy supply that is affordable, secure, and environmentally sound. Today, however, they face significant challenges in these respects. For several reasons, including the region’s expansive geographic reach and low population density, the UP has struggled with energy affordability and infrastructure development, and parts of the UP have some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. These prices, coupled with relatively high poverty rates in certain areas, have resulted in UP residents paying a disproportionate amount of their monthly income on energy costs."

The charge to the Task Force according to section 2(a) of the Executive Order is to:
•    Assess the UP’s overall energy needs and how they are currently being met.
•    Formulate alternative solutions for meeting the UP’s energy needs, with a focus on security, reliability, affordability, and environmental soundness. This shall include, but is not limited to, alternative means to supply the energy sources currently used by UP residents, and alternatives to those energy sources.
•    Identify and evaluate potential changes that could occur to energy supply and distribution in the UP; the economic, environmental, and other impacts of such changes; and the alternatives for meeting the UP’s energy needs in response to such changes.

The Task Force is directed to complete its final report in two stages. First, the Task Force is required to submit a propane plan to the Governor by March 31, 2020, focused on alternative means to supply propane to the UP consistent with section 2(a) of the Executive Order. The Task Force is required to submit the remainder of its report, by March 31, 2021.

Send your comments regarding the work of the UP Energy Task Force to: EGLE-UPEnergy@Michigan.gov  Comments submitted via this email address will be shared with all UP Energy Task Force members. Comments submitted will become part of the public record and subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.**

Editor's Notes:
 
* Click here to see the minutes from the Sept. 20, 2019, UP Energy Task Force meeting in Hancock.

** Visit EGLE's UP Energy Task Force page to learn about their work and find links to meeting agendas, minutes and presentations.