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May 2007 News

Second renewable energy forum attracts large crowd

By Katie Alvord  Posted 05/21/2007


HANCOCK -- A larger-than-expected turnout at a Hancock renewable energy forum caught the organizers by surprise -- again. Well over 100 people flocked to the April 17 forum, "Renewable Energy: Reducing Home Energy Costs, Part 2," held at Lakeview Manor and organized by the Keweenaw Sustainability Project (KSP). The April forum featured talks by Terry McNinch about solar photovoltaics; Terry Kinzel on solar, hydroelectric, and wind power; Mike Benda on his large residential wind system; and Dave Bach about retrofitting homes for energy efficiency and conservation. The forum was a follow-up to the KSP renewable energy forum held in February, which also attracted a large crowd. KSP also sponsored a Solar, Wind and Retrofitted Home Tour on May 19, during which visitors were able to see some of the energy systems presented at the forums. more
Photo: More than 100 interested residents attended the April 17 forum, "Renewable Energy: Reducing Home Energy Costs, Part 2," held at Lakeview Manor in Hancock and organized by the Keweenaw Sustainability Project (KSP). (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu. Reprinted with permission.)

UPPCO reservoir development plan: Public comment deadline is May 21, 2007

Posted 05/18/2007


HANCOCK -- A deadline of May 21, 2007, approaches for public comment on the Upper Peninsula Power Company's (UPPCO's) plans to develop lighted private boat docks and "viewsheds" on six wild Upper Peninsula hydro-electric reservoirs (i.e., Prickett Dam, Bond Falls, Victoria Falls, Au Train, Cataract, and Boney Falls) in order to enhance the sale-ability of 7200 acres of adjacent forested lands that UPPCO plans to sell to a developer. These reservoirs all have license agreements issued from the Federal Energy Regulatory Agency (FERC) for the generation of hydroelectric power -- agreements requiring that UPPCO protect and enhance wildlife habitat, provide for public access and manage the forest for old-growth (at Bond Falls and Victoria Reservoirs). Concerned residents can find details on this issue at UPPAC.com and can send an email or letter expressing their views. Read more, including a sample letter to jwolfe@uppco.com. 

Two MTU students bike to Seattle for cancer survivorship

By Jeff Dambrun  Posted 05/16/2007


HOUGHTON -- An idea that started as a half-serious joke several years ago between Michigan Tech students Jay Prescott and Jeff Dambrun has now materialized into a reality. Jay and Jeff have created the Superior-Pacific Ride for Survivorship, a bicycle journey from Houghton, Mich., to Seattle, Wash., as well as a grassroots fundraiser through the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports cancer survivorship efforts. Jay and Jeff are now on their way, and donations and pledges will be accepted until they reach Seattle in mid-June. Donations will go not only toward cancer research, but toward other important areas like education and social support for survivors and their families. more
Photo: Jay and Jeff with their bikes on a trail near Freda, Mich. (Photo © 2007 Ben Bittner. Reprinted with permission.)

Peace Corps Deputy Director to address Michigan Tech graduates

Posted 05/04/2007


HOUGHTON -- Josephine “Jody” Olsen, deputy director of the Peace Corps, will give the commencement address and receive an Honorary Doctorate in Sustainable International Development during Michigan Technological University's Spring Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 5. As the deputy director of the Peace Corps, Olsen supports several initiatives, including strengthening the recruitment of older volunteers, measuring the impact of the Peace Corps and helping other countries promote volunteerism among their own people. MTU is home to the largest Master’s International Peace Corps programs in the country. The university has Master’s International programs in forestry, science education, disaster mitigation and civil and environmental engineering. Read more on Tech Today. See also our story about Amber Kenny, of Houghton, MTU Peace Corps Masters International graduate in forestry.

Lake Superior warming fast: Researchers surprised by strong trends

By Katie Alvord  Posted 05/03/2007


HOUGHTON -- A growing number of regional officials and researchers have been examining how climate change may already affect air, water and ice within the Lake Superior basin. This regional work is taking place as the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) completes its Fourth Assessment Report on the state of the world’s climate. The IPCC is releasing its 2007 assessment in segments, and the next will be released Friday, May 4. In the first in a series of articles on climate change, Keweenaw Now guest writer Katie Alvord reports recent climate changes affecting Lake Superior, as researched by scientists at the University of Minnesota Duluth and Michigan Tech University and as observed by meteorologists and by officials at Isle Royale National Park and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. more
Photo: Ice melting along the Lake Superior shoreline in late March 2007. (Photo © 2007 Katie Alvord. Reprinted with permission.) 

Stupak statement on Iraq veto override vote

Posted 05/03/2007


WASHINGTON, D. C. -- While the U.S. House of Representatives failed to override President Bush's veto on the Iraq Accountability Act Conference Report, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) says he will continue to press the Administration for accountability to end the war in Iraq. "We owe our troops the funding and equipment to complete their tour of duty and return home safely," Stupak said. "I will continue working with my colleagues towards legislation to end our military entanglement in the Iraqi Civil War. Our troops and their families have sacrificed too much for Congress to simply provide President Bush a blank check for an unending commitment to war in Iraq."

Manitou Island Bird Survey goes international

Posted 04/30/2007


HOUGHTON -- This spring will be the sixth year of the Manitou Island Bird Survey, a project of the Copper Country Audubon Club under the direction of Joseph Youngman. Manitou Island is the small island three miles long and three miles east of the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Each spring thousands of raptors of at least 13 species have been documented. Raptors that come to Manitou are part of the massive bird migration that moves up the Keweenaw Peninsula every spring. Visitors to the Second Annual Keweenaw International Migratory Bird Day Festival Friday and Saturday, May 4 - 5, in Copper Harbor, will have a chance to see many of these migrating birds and to learn about the Manitou Island Survey. more
Photo: Red-tailed Hawk in flight. (Photo © 2007 Joseph Youngman. Reprinted with permission.)

Stabenow: Senate passes Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill 

Posted 04/26/2007


WASHINGTON, D. C. -- United States Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) sent an email to constituents today, Apr. 26, to announce that the U.S. Senate has just passed the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill by a vote of 51-46. This bill requires the President to begin moving our soldiers out of Iraq starting in October 2007. Stabenow issued the following statement following passage of the Emergency Supplemental bill: "Today, the U.S. Senate passed a supplemental appropriations bill that provides our troops with the funding and resources they need on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, and sets a timetable to bring them home safely and responsibly. The bill also provides emergency funding for critical needs here at home, including veterans' health care and rebuilding communities destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. I am hopeful the President will do the right thing and sign this bill into law." Visit Sen. Stabenow's Web site for the text of her Apr. 25 Senate floor speech on the importance of this bill.

Stupak says Bush should sign Iraq Accountability bill

Posted and updated 04/26/2007


WASHINGTON, D. C. -- The U.S. House of Representatives approved on April 25 the Iraq Accountability Act Conference Report by a vote of 218 to 208. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted for the legislation. "The measure the House passed today supports our troops, honors our veterans and requires accountability from the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government," Stupak said. "The bill provides $4 billion more for our troops than the President requested and provides $1.8 billion more for veterans' neglected health needs." The bill would demand troop withdrawals begin on Oct. 1, 2007, or sooner and end by April 1, 2008, allowing for forces conducting certain noncombat missions. The Senate is expected to take up and pass the legislation Thursday, sending the measure to the President's desk. more 

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