Co-op Energy Talk

S3E12 - Cherryland's Power Supply 2018 and Beyond

As of January 1, 2018, distribution co-op members of Wolverine Power Cooperative like Cherryland will have the lowest carbon footprint of any electric utility in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Learn more about how we got there and the challenges we face as we pursue a low-carbon future in this podcast with Zach Anderson, VP of Power Supply at Wolverine.

S3E11 - Cherryland Cares Supports Local Community

In the last decade, Cherryland Cares has granted $400,000 to 90 local non-profit organizations. In this podcast we sit down with two grantees from last year - Gina Aranki with Child & Family Services and Becca Binder with Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing - and Cherryland Cares board member, Jeremy Hawke to discuss the impact that Cherryland Cares is having in the local community. Listen in and learn how 4,000 people contributing a few dollars per year can make a HUGE difference.

S3E10 - Rate Change And You

For the first time in seven years, Cherryland will be raising its rates. This rate change will go into effect in the spring of 2018. Listen in as we explain the specifics of this change, discuss the reasoning behind the board's decision, and answer some of our members' frequently asked questions.

S3E9 - County EDC Talks Economic Development

The Grand Traverse area attracts all types of people: tourists, foodies, outdoorsmen, even celebrities. But what about business owners? In this episode, we sat down with members of the recently configured Grand Traverse County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board and discussed the opportunities and challenges to growing, retaining, and expanding businesses in our region.

Featuring: Warren Call, Regional Manager of The Private Bank at Huntington National Bank; Mike Naughton, Lawyer and Partner at North Coast Legal; Jessica Sullivan, Vice President of the Hagerty Group Office at Hagerty

 

S3E8 - Meet Gabe Schneider

In this month's episode, we sit down with the newest member of Cherryland's Board of Directors, Gabe Schneider. Listen in as he discusses why he wanted to serve on the board and what he hopes to accomplish in doing so.

S3E7 - Traverse City Chases 100% Renewable Goal

The City of Traverse City recently set a goal to power 100% of their public buildings (the actual city's electric load) with 100% renewable energy by 2020. In this podcast we sat down with City Commissioner Amy Shamroe and the CEO of Traverse CONNECT, Doug Luciani, to discuss why municipalities are setting renewable energy goals and the opportunities and challenges they face as they try to meet them.

S3E6 - Cooperative Governance with Adam Schwartz

The cooperative movement has been changing the way we do electrification in the US since the 1920s. Cooperatives are member-owned and member-governed; our governance model is vital to our health and success. In this podcast, we sit down with Adam Schwartz, Founder and Principal of The Cooperative Way. Listen in as we talk about how co-ops can increase member engagement and help strengthen our communities.

S3E5 - Local Experts Talk Solar

Is Northern Michigan poised to see a boom in solar energy? We sat down with several local experts to find out their opinions. Listen in as Crystal Mountain's Jim MacInnes, Groundwork's Dan Worth, and Wolverine Power Cooperative's Zach Anderson discuss and debate the future of solar energy in our region.

S3E4 - Valerie Brader on Michigan's Energy Future

In the last few years, the state of Michigan dealt with an energy crisis in the U.P., public concern over pipelines spanning the straits of Mackinac, the looming shut down of a significant portion of the state’s baseload energy capacity, and a complete revision of the state’s energy policy. In this podcast, we sit down with Valerie Brader, the Executive Director for the Michigan Agency for Energy, to discuss the challenges and opportunities Michigan faces as we continue to modernize our energy portfolio.

S3E3 - Energy Policy Under Trump Part 2

Many of the decisions and changes being made to U.S. energy policy will have implications for our energy supply here in Michigan. In the second part of this series, we sit down with Craig Borr, CEO of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association to find out how Trump's policies might impact electric cooperative members in Michigan.