Co-op Energy Talk

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.

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.