Self nominations are accepted....
This annual program hosted by Corp! magazine and sponsored by MITechNews.com honors companies and organizations leading the way for Michigan's green sector.
Mike Brennan, with MITechNews.com asked me if I would get the word out to my green, innovative friends!
Do you know a company, person, or organization in Michigan who demonstrates a commitment to green, sustainable and environmentally friendly practices?
Corp! and MITechNews are looking for
the list goes on...you can find more and the application for nomination at the following link:
http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11015&sec=102
You can follow Mike on twitter to keep up with all the latest tech news and green tech news in Michigan.
Come on fellow Michigan Treehuggers...let's see who the top innovators and green folks in Michigan are!!!
Copyright 2009 Mary McGraw Bigelow. All rights reserved. For more information visit: Windows Wind and Solar
ABC's 20/20 has been doing a series on the "New Normal."
In the feature this past Friday New Normal: Workers Learn New Skills ABC introduced to the nation two gentlemen who I have been fortunate enough to come to know during the past year and hold in high regard.
Mike Hess and John Holcomb.
A small part of what these two have accomplished over the past year is to bring affordable, self-generated power to the world. The Windspire is the newest appliance for your home.
The Radarrange by Amana received the
"Top 10 Gadgets That Changed the World" award.
Akin to Radarrange that was first introduced to households in 1967, I believe the Windspire will take it's spot in the top 10 Gadgets That Changed The World.
Photo Credit: Sang Nguyen
Latest statistics show that 25% of the world's population does not have power. This vertical axis wind turbine can have a huge affect on the lives in those areas of the world.
According to Global Issues 1.6 Billion people, one quarter of humanity, live without electricity. In Southeast Asia there are 706 million without electricity, 547 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, 224 million in East Asia, and 101 million in other areas of the world. The Windspire was designed and is being manufactured with these less fortunate in mind.
70% of the Windspire Wind Electric Appliances are planned for overseas installation, places where 2000 kilowatt hours per year will make a HUGE difference in a person's life.
This is the bigger part of what Mike Hess and John Holcomb are committed to.
Back in the U.S., Mike Hess and John Holcomb are committed to jobs and local economies.
In a conversation with John, you will learn that he has found a way to make the Windspire better and less expensively than it can be done overseas. This makes the appliance affordable to the average homeowner or business owner.
These gentlemen are committed to increasing jobs in the United States.
Throughout the country, Windspires will be installed by local contractors using local subs. This will keep the dollars local.
John Holcomb says he is doing this,
"for the veterans."
The veterans have fought for the United States, many have given their lives for our country.
Through John's eyes...the Windspire is for memory and honor to our Veterans.
Made by Americans.....For America
To hear more from Mike Hess and John Holcomb be sure to take 5 minutes to watch the ABC News 20/20 special:
New Normal: Workers Learn New Skills
**sidebar: the house in the 20/20 piece belongs to one of our happy homeowners, Gloria Noyce. Her windspire was installed by our own Devon O'Shea and his capable crew. Gloria and her sister Janie are both proud owners of our systems. Although they were taped for the 20/20 special, unfortunately, only Gloria's Windspire and house made the cut!
Here's a photo of the girls filming!
From left to right: sisters Linda, Gloria and Janie.
And of course...the film crew from ABC's 20/20!
It was a fun filled day!
Copyright 2009 Mary McGraw Bigelow. All rights reserved.
For more information visit: Windows Wind and Solar
Two Michigan sisters are beaming when they tell people they are on the “family plan” with CBS.
From Hastings to Harrison, Gloria and Janie are showing their commitment to the environment through energy saving measures and power production.
In Hastings, Gloria loves the Thermolock windows installed in her island home last year. Gloria says, “those windows are the best thing I ever did! What a difference they have made in the comfort of my home.” Gloria also gets free hot water, for herself and a tenant, with a solar hot water system.
In March, Gloria implemented phase three of her upgrades: a wind energy appliance, the Mariah Windspire™.
In Harrison, Janie heats the water for her pool as well as her home with a solar hot water system. Janie says her utility was reduced 50% when she put the solar hot water system on. Not to be outdone by her sister, Janie installed phase two in April: a hybrid wind energy appliance and solar system.
Janie’s system also features a Windspire™ wind energy appliance this time combined with 1000 W solar electric designed by CBS engineer Devon O’Shea. Gloria and Janie have opened up their homes and hearts to folks who want to learn more about renewable energy and energy efficiency in their own homes.
There is never a dull moment with these two! I wonder what these crazy sisters will cook up next! (sisters Linda, Janie and Gloria)
Mary McGraw-Bigelow Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
I had an interesting conversation today with a local stock broker. During our discussion I mentioned fuel poverty. He stopped me mid-sentence....
"What is that?" he asked.
What is what? I said.
What is fuel poverty? What is your definition of Fuel Poverty?" he asked.
I thought everyone had heard it yet he told me he had not heard the term before....
but it struck him....
"How do you define it?" he asked.
Hmmm...my definition of fuel poverty is that one spends so much of their disposible income on fuel - whether for keeping warm, driving to appointments or heating water - that they don't have enough money to enjoy the things they want to enjoy, or feed their family, or pay their mortgage.
The "official" Wikipedia definition of Fuel Poverty is, "A fuel poor household is one which cannot afford to keep adequately warm at reasonable cost." As the wiki says, this is a popular term in the UK. I think it is a term we need to become familiar with in the U.S.
Whether in the north...where heating is important....
or in the south...where cooling is important.....
Fuel poverty is real....
this is why I am happy to see incentives for not only energy efficiency, but renewable energy, in the stimulus bill...
How do you define, "Fuel Poverty??"
*photo courtesy Gary Hammerlund, HERS Rater, Certified Energy Efficient
A beautiful white blanket covers the scenery in Micihgan this time of year. I don't recall a winter in the last 20 years that has provided white cover as often or as much as we have seen this year. If you are one to venture in the woods this is the type of view you will find. It's breathtaking...it's beautiful....
it's cold!!!!
Ah...a cozy 76 degrees F inside staving off a 7.6 degree F temp outside!!!
You may ask....what is making it so warm inside? I must confess, I have a fire going in the old wood stove!That keeps the heat in...so does soup on the stove...mmmm...potato soup and vegetable soup! There is nothing like a steaming hot bowl of fresh soup to warm the soul! and then there are the ECO~All~Stars on Active Rain!
They are a little like Chicken Soup for the Soul!
Today I have talked with:
Dave Roberts and his great ideas for sustainable building desings!
Amy Le and I had a conversation about retrofitting homes and making them more energy efficient!
I learned today from Mike Kelly that Catawaba County is refunding permit money for homes that are being built with third party certification.
Greg Gardner shared his information on land trusts and gave me a starting point for learning about them!
Gary White in Grand Rapids who offers great tips for greening and energizing an existing home!
These friends and others kept me warm today with their articles! So many interesting things to read!
Who says I don't have friends! I have so many when I play in the Rain!!!
Active Rain and the Eco~All~Stars....
what a great Bridge to the Future of the Industry!!!
Are you crossing the bridge????
Thanks to AR and all my friends from around the country who kept me warm today!
If you had conversations in the rain today please feel free to leave a synopsis and link in your comment! Let's spread the warmth!!!
Yes! I do have a life!!!
Mary T. Bigelow © Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
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