Co-op Energy Talk

S4E8 - Craft Beer & Spirits Take Michigan By Storm

While we believe electricity is very important, craft beer and spirits are a very close second. Michigan’s craft beverage industry has taken the state by storm and doesn’t show signs of stopping. Listen in as we discuss the local craft beverage scene (and a little bit of energy) with special guests John Niedermaier of Brewery Terra Firma and Richard Anderson of Iron Fish Distillery.

S4E7 - Everything Energy With Jim MacInnes

EVs and clean energy and politics, oh my! Listen in as we sit down with Jim MacInnes, CEO of Crystal Mountain, and discuss everything energy; from reducing Crystal Mountain's carbon footprint to the future of automotive company, Tesla, to predictions in the Michigan governor's race.

S4E6 - Solar Today And Tomorrow

Where will solar be in 10 years? Is the future in small "rooftop" solar or large public-scale projects? In light of the recent changes to Cherryland's member-solar programs, listen in as we discuss current trends and the future of solar generation with Sam Hogg, Director of Business Origination at Wolverine Power Cooperative.

S4E5 - Next Generation Workforce

Our cooperative, like many other companies, is facing a significant generational shift in staffing. Baby Boomers are retiring and Generation Xers and Millennials are replacing them. Listen in as we discuss this shift and what areas we need to consider adjusting to attract and retain good employees.

Featuring: Kerry Kalbfleisch, Director of Human Resources, Jeff Puffer, Power Quality Technician, and Nicole Vanover, Member Information Representative

S4E4 - Cherryland Goes To D.C.

Cherryland leadership traveled to Washington, D.C. recently to meet with legislators about issues impacting electric co-ops. Listen in as we discuss some of our legislative priorities and concerns with Craig Borr, CEO of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA).

S4E3 - Meet The Linemen

Being a lineworker is no easy job. It takes hard work, dedication, and nerves of steel to build and maintain Cherryland’s 3,000 miles of line day in and day out. Listen in as four of Cherryland’s linemen, Charlie Johnston, Brad Norton, Brandon Hartley, and Dave Bott, tell us why they do what they do and what it takes to be on a Cherryland line crew.

S4E2 - Cherryland Pilots Low Income Solar Program

Over the last six months, Cherryland has been working on a pilot project in partnership with the State of Michigan and our local community action agency designed to make renewable energy accessible for low income consumers and increase the energy efficiency and quality of housing stock for those same members. Listen in as we discuss the details of this innovative pilot project with Sarah Mulkoff of the Michigan Agency for Energy.

S4E1 - Renewables In Our Region

There is so much talk about renewable energy projects in northern Michigan that it begs the question: where are we at with renewables? Listen in as we sit down with Sam Hogg, Director of Business Origination at Wolverine Power Cooperative and former project developer for Wolverine's subsidiary, Spartan Renewable Energy, and discuss the state of renewable energy in our region and how his role fits into Wolverine's power supply strategy.

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.