Feb 10, 2021
Propane supply to the Upper Peninsula has been a flashpoint in the debate about Line 5, a 67-year-old, Canadian-owned oil pipeline running along the bottomlands of the Straits of Mackinac. The public deserves to have a realistic, clear understanding of whether the U.P. will have an adequate propane supply, or available alternatives, following the planned shut-down of Line 5 in May 2021.
The pipeline owner argues Line 5 is an irreplaceable source of propane for U.P. homes, but is it? Since the propane industry is unregulated, the best we can do is follow what they say. The propane industry has consistently said, both in the news and during UP Energy Task Force (UPETF) meetings, that they have enough supply. On Friday, Feb. 12, the U.P. Clean Energy Conference Series (www.upcleanenergy.org) will host propane retailers on this question.
rspitza@miningjournal.net
MARQUETTE The Upper Peninsula Clean Energy Conference series held a virtual event hosted by Michigan Energy Options on Thursday afternoon with a focus on solar power.
Thursday’s session, titled “Solar Energy Case Studies Lessons from On the Ground Projects,” offered discussions with leaders of solar and wind projects of different scales in L’Anse, Marquette and downstate Gratiot County.
Moderating the event’s three sessions were Michael Larson, U.P. operations manager for Michigan Energy Options; Richelle Winkler, professor of sociology and demography at Michigan Tech University; and John Kinch, executive director of Michigan Energy Options.