UPDATE UP Energy Task Force will meet in Harris, Michigan March 13, 2020

March 12, 2020
UPDATE: Changes to U.P. Energy Task Force’s Friday meeting
Panel to discuss technical report on propane, draft recommendations; public can comment through April 6
Members of the U.P. Energy Task Force will meet Friday in Harris and Lansing to review a final technical report on propane availability in the Upper Peninsula and discuss a draft of the panel’s recommendations.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. with U.P. members of the Task Force in the Wolf Conference Room at the Island Resort & Casino, W399 Highway 2 and 41, in Harris, and Lansing-area members in the Lee Walker Conference Room on the atrium level of Constitution Hall, 525 West Allegan Street, Lansing. There will be a public comment period at both locations beginning at 11 a.m.
The Draft Recommendations of the Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force Part I – Propane Supply contains proposed actions the Governor, Legislature, and state agencies may consider pursuing to better track and anticipate supply and demand, minimize disruption impact, and provide a more cohesive plan for those who are disproportionately affected by high energy costs in the U.P.
The draft document will be posted next week to the Task Force’s website, Michigan.gov/UPEnergyTaskForce<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAzMTIuMTg2NDM0NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZWdsZS8wLDk0MjksNy0xMzUtMzMwNl84ODc3MV85Mzk3My0tLSwwMC5odG1sIn0.kn41bg4DvWGRS63-1Y9NDoOWI3zrmIcArYhIjAexbOE%2Fbr%2F76046145950-l&data=02%7C01%7Cassendelftn%40michigan.gov%7Ccbc8b03cf3e0430ba35c08d7c6bc5888%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637196384545368498&sdata=axbqzGtDta2mG%2FQ5BGEQsQ8tyAnLMLDShLVhJSp%2FNtE%3D&reserved=0>.
Public comments on the recommendations section of the draft document can be submitted via email to EGLE-UPEnergy@Michigan.gov<mailto:EGLE-UPEnergy@Michigan.gov>. All comments submitted through April 6 will be considered by the Task Force for possible inclusion in the final report, which is due to the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by April 17. The submission date was extended to allow for a longer public review period.
People who need special assistance to participate can contact Kimber Frantz at 517-284-5035 in advance of the meeting.
Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Order<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAzMTIuMTg2NDM0NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3Yvd2hpdG1lci8wLDkzMDksNy0zODctOTA0OTlfOTA3MDUtNDk5MzgzLS0sMDAuaHRtbCJ9.7kpXLSUpGU3UPVXUCiUtuxUiibdj7fJ7wlHKoE52CTw%2Fbr%2F76046145950-l&data=02%7C01%7Cassendelftn%40michigan.gov%7Ccbc8b03cf3e0430ba35c08d7c6bc5888%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637196384545368498&sdata=r4U3rKhOiPLuHH7k9pBtwseiAs27HiGoV7Xw5yHA2ZI%3D&reserved=0> outlined specific goals for the U.P. Energy Task Force:

*   Assess the U.P.’s overall energy needs and how they are being met.
*   Formulate alternative solutions for meeting the U.P.’s energy needs, with a focus on security, reliability, affordability, and environmental soundness. This includes, but is not limited to, alternative means to supply the energy sources used by U.P. residents, and alternatives to those energy sources.
*   Identify and evaluate potential changes that could occur to energy supply and distribution in the U.P.; the economic, environmental, and other impacts of such changes; and alternatives for meeting the U.P.’s energy needs due to such changes.
The draft propane document is the first of two reports the U.P. Energy Task Force is to submit to the Governor. A full report on overall U.P. energy issues and alternatives is due March 31, 2021.
Follow the activities of the U.P. Energy Task Force at Michigan.gov/UPEnergyTaskForce<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAzMTIuMTg2NDM0NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZWdsZS8wLDk0MjksNy0xMzUtMzMwNl84ODc3MV85Mzk3My0tLSwwMC5odG1sIn0.k33QuywE71t1P8iUHTEPampv3dLO-MF4QReS4Wwf-_I%2Fbr%2F76046145950-l&data=02%7C01%7Cassendelftn%40michigan.gov%7Ccbc8b03cf3e0430ba35c08d7c6bc5888%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637196384545378455&sdata=EuMb2Llk6TFX2TMZHwDmzuYP40MuNktULyBlkAqEb3k%3D&reserved=0>.

A meeting of the UP Energy Task Force will be held at Island Resort and Casino, Wolf Conference Room, W399 US-2, Harris, MI 49845 beginning at 10 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. The UP Energy Task Force (UPETF) was created by Executive Order No. 2019-14 to examine how the UP’s energy needs can be best met, with a focus on affordability, reliability, security, and environmental soundness. Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation at a meeting should contact Kimber Frantz at 517-284-5035 in advance of the meeting to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation, and/or other assistance. EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability, political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its programs or activities and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.
Information Contact: Kimber Frantz, 517-284-5035.