{"id":1182,"date":"2025-03-29T14:44:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-29T14:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/?p=1182"},"modified":"2025-03-29T16:29:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T16:29:28","slug":"energy-expo-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/?p=1182","title":{"rendered":"ENERGY EXPO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here is the Program!<\/strong>
Mayor Christopher Taylor: 5:30
A2Zero, Sustainable Energy Utility, City incentives,
and supporting climate policy locally

Heather Chen-Yost: 5:45 \u2013 6:45
Citizens\u2019 Climate Lobby
https:\/\/citizensclimatelobby.org\/chapters\/Michigan_-_At_Large\/
<\/a>
Yousef Rabhi: 6:50
Washtenaw County Commissioner
Public Power, dynamics with
DTE, how to claim power locally
https:\/\/www.washtenaw.org\/226\/District-8<\/a>

State\u00a0Representative Morgan Foreman: 7:10
State climate and utility reform
https:\/\/housedems.com\/morgan-foreman\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heather Chen-Yost: 5:45 – 6:45<\/strong>
Citizens\u2019 Climate Lobby
https:\/\/citizensclimatelobby.org\/chapters\/Michigan_-_At_Large\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Taylor: 6:45<\/strong>
A2Zero, Sustainable Energy Utility, City incentives,
and supporting climate policy locally<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yousef Rabhi: 7:00<\/strong>
Washtenaw County Commisioner
Public Power, dynamics with
DTE, how to claim power locally<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State<\/strong> Representative Morgan Foreman: 7:15
<\/strong>State climate and utility reform
https:\/\/housedems.com\/morgan-foreman\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Good News Below!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Sponsors, Presenters, Tablers, Neighborhood Tech Adopters, Other Climate and Utility Reform Orgs, The Lowdown on DTE\u2019s Business and Political Operations and Blowback to It, Our Volunteers, and Vendors <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sponsors<\/strong>: 
Brought to you by Ann Arbor 3-28 Precinct Delegates with support from the Washtenaw County Democratic Party’s https:\/\/www.washtenawdems.org<\/a>
Precinct Organizing Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Erdevig and Mike Victor
PD-AA-03-28@washtenawdems.org<\/a>, with beaucoup help from Volunteers listed below* <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenters<\/strong>: 
Citizens Climate Lobby<\/strong>
https:\/\/citizensclimatelobby.org\/chapters\/Michigan_-_At_Large\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heather Chen Yost, Pathologist at Michigan Medicine  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rep. Morgan Foreman, Michigan House District 33<\/strong>
https:\/\/housedems.com\/morgan-foreman\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Chris Taylor, City of Ann Arbor <\/strong>
https:\/\/www.a2gov.org\/city-council\/mayor-christopher-taylor\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yousef Rabhi, Washtenaw County Commissioner, <\/strong>
District 8 <\/strong>
https:\/\/www.washtenaw.org\/226\/District-8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tablers<\/strong>: 
Michigan Climate Action Network<\/strong> https:\/\/www.miclimateaction.org\/about_mican<\/a>
The Michigan Climate Action Network amplifies, connects, and supports the people, organizations, and communities demanding urgent, bold, and equitable solutions for a just transition to a resilient future.      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michigan League of Conservation Voters<\/strong>
https:\/\/www.michiganlcv.org\/about\/<\/a>
\u201cWe protect Michigan’s air, land, and water by activating voters to elect and hold accountable public officials who fight for an environment that sutains the health and well-being of us all.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ann Arbor Public Power<\/strong>
https:\/\/annarborpublicpower.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neighbor Tech Adopters:<\/strong> 
Mike MacGregor, Eric Meade, Allen Duncan, and others too numerous to mention<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Climate and Utility Reform Orgs:<\/strong> 
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition<\/strong>
https:\/\/www.michiganej.org\/about-us<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, https:\/\/www.2glrea.org\/about         
<\/a>Enacting Community Solar, highlighting tech & installers, influencing Michigan Public Service Committion, DTE’s regulator<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political Antagonists<\/strong>:
Koch Brothers 
https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/jan\/27\/koch-americans-for-prosperity-trump-tax-breaks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DTE greed<\/strong>:
DTE raises rates again this year!
https:\/\/planetdetroit.org\/2025\/01\/dte-energy-rate-hike-michigan\/#:~:text=Michigan%20regulators%20approved%20a%20$217,increase%20the%20company%20had%20sought<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DTE applied for rate hike in 2022, when, at 18 cent\/kilowatt hour, rates were already 15 cents above the national average!  https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2022\/09\/01\/detroiters-advocates-object-to-dte-rate-hike-amid-power-outages\/65461647007\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DTE’s 2023 rate increase: 6.4%!<\/strong> https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2022\/09\/01\/detroiters-advocates-object-to-dte-rate-hike-amid-power-outages\/65461647007\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DTE gets<\/strong>:
9.9%<\/strong> guaranteed return on investment      https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2025\/01\/23\/dte-energy-electricity-rate-increase\/77902658007\/  <\/a>        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you get<\/strong>: 
The highest rates in the Midwest, among the worst reliability in the U.S.
https:\/\/www.michiganlcv.org\/michigans-power-outages-high-rates-and-unreliable-service-from-dte-and-consumers-energy\/#:~:text=Michigan%20has%20some%20of%20the,Board%20of%20Michigan%20(CUB)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Execs get<\/strong>: 
The CEO made over $9 million in 2023  https:\/\/www1.salary.com\/DTE-ENERGY-CO-Executive-Salaries.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$hareholders get<\/strong>: 
$700 million to investors in 2022        https:\/\/www.bridgedetroit.com\/dte-energy-cut-operations-to-meet-profits-months-before-power-outages\/ <\/a>       <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corruption<\/strong>: 
Tens of millions in dark money donations        https:\/\/planetdetroit.org\/2022\/12\/public-frustration-with-dte-is-growing-so-are-its-charitable-and-political-spending\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lobbying freebies<\/strong>:
Millions for dinners, trips, even apartments for lawmakers        https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/2024\/09\/23\/michigan-lobbyists-lawmakers-freebies-tracking\/73266394007\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.deadlinedetroit.com\/articles\/32634\/lobbyist_sold_his_downtown_lansing_condo_to_a_michigan_lawmaker_at_a_loss_while_another_rents_rooms_to_legislators<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subversion of Democratic Processes<\/strong>:
Caught fabricating comments from “the public”
https:\/\/planetdetroit.org\/2024\/10\/michigan-regulators-deny-dte-rate-hike\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A.G. Dana Nessel fought back!<\/strong>  https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/ag\/news\/press-releases\/2023\/07\/13\/ag-nessel-announces-dte-settlement-agreement<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, for some good news:
<\/mark><\/strong>The renewable energy revolution has already left the station worldwide, accelerated<\/strong> by governments, markets and technical innovation. Drumpf will fail at “drill, baby, drill!”
Solar<\/strong> and storage battery<\/strong> overtakes coal and gas worldwide.
U.S. added 50GW<\/strong> of solar<\/strong> added in one year as U.S. Energy Secretary gushes about gas. This is the 2nd record-breaking year. Along with storage battery capacity, these two technologies accounted for 85%<\/strong> of all new electric generating capacity. That is 50 nuke plants worth.<\/strong> China built about 5 nuke plants<\/strong> worth of renewable storage a week in 2024.
https:\/\/reneweconomy.com.au\/solar-smashes-us-records-with-50-gw-added-in-one-year-as-trumps-energy-secretary-gushes-about-gas\/
<\/a>
Thanks to the Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, <\/strong>domestic module manufacturing capacity grew an unprecedented 190% year-over-year, from just 14.5 GW at the end of 2023 to 42.1 GW at the end of 2024 and surpassed 50 GW in early 2025.
https:\/\/seia.org\/research-resources\/us-solar-market-insight\/
<\/a>
Since 2017, <\/strong>China adds more solar than coal and gas generation.
https:\/\/reneweconomy.com.au\/china-adds-more-solar-than-coal-and-gas-for-first-time-as-trump-slaps-solar-tariffs-77292\/
<\/a>
New figures show the pace of its clean energy transition<\/strong> is roughly the equivalent of installing five large-scale nuclear power plants worth of renewables every week.
https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/science\/2024-07-16\/chinas-renewable-energy-boom-breaks-records\/104086640
<\/a>
China’s CO2 emissions have peaked <\/strong>or will in 20-25, say 44% of experts in survey.” The Guardian
https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2024\/nov\/27\/chinas-co2-emissions-have-peaked-or-will-in-2025-say-44-of-experts-in-survey
<\/a>
EV sales continue to explode.
<\/strong>Global EV sales are expected to continue to surge.
https:\/\/theevreport.com\/january-2025-global-ev-sales-surge
<\/a>
Lithium batteries last unexpectedly long <\/strong>and will outlive the life of the car, are now recyclable with a vastly cleaner and less expensive process, and a half-ton battery might yield $5,000 worth of lithium, nickel, magnesium, etc. in 15 minutes.
https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/tech\/battery-recycle-lithium-ion-environment-b2713723.html
<\/a>
EV sales market penetration in China reaching 50% <\/strong>of new car sales. Maker BYD is rolling out a battery that charges in the time it takes to pump gas. Seeking Alpha
Stock.https:\/\/seekingalpha.com\/news\/4423860-byd-is-sitting-in-the-pole-position-with-chinas-nev-penetration-rate-forecast-to-hit-75
<\/a>
Walmart, which already partners with ChargePoint, will expand into their own EV DC fast-charging network.<\/strong>
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6EXjpZg5k5o<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

VERY WATCHABLE AND TIMELY BACKGROUND:
\u201cClimate Action in 2025 and Beyond:<\/strong> Creating a Resilient and Just Future in Michigan and Across the Globe,\u201drecorded January 14, Rackham Amphitheatre, University of Michigan.
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hMtNl4eDGHE&ab_channel=SchoolforEnvironmentandSustainability
<\/a>Highlights:
UM vice provost for sustainability and climate action.<\/strong> Researches equity aspects of climate. Shalanda Baker, at minute 3:37:<\/strong> Record warm 2024 & \u201canomalies\u201d \u2013 climate change is here, with economic, psychic impacts for evacuees. So, we must fight in those places we hold dear.
And see: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?app=desktop&v=r5LAtR4-OAA&t=2s<\/a>
Introduction of panelists: 7:14 to 12:25.
Minute 15:35 to 20:28: <\/strong>Dean of School for the Environment and Sustainability (\u201cSEAS\u201d) Dr. Jonathan Overpeck:<\/strong> Don\u2019t lose hope. Investments made. Market \u201ccost curves\u201d favoring renewables over fossil.
https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jonathan_Overpeck
<\/a>Minute 20:43 to 24:11, Dr. Missy Stults, <\/strong>Research Assistant at Center for Sustainable Systems, Director of Sustainability and Innovation at City of Ann Arbor: Summarizes City of Ann Arbor\u2019s A2Zero programs.
28:15 to 32:08, Community organizer with Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Dennis Black: <\/strong>Collective action and community involvement are key to achieving a more just and equal world.
https:\/\/www.michiganej.org\/team\/dennis-black
<\/a>32:43 to 36:28, Dr. Denise Keele, <\/strong>Michigan Climate Action Network: You are the majority. Act like it.
https:\/\/www.glef.us\/keele.html
<\/a>37:01 to 41:39, Geoffrey Henderson, <\/strong>Assistant Professor, SEAS, environmental policy and politics, author of How to Make Democracy Work Better in the Context of Large-Scale Environmental Problems: Paradoxically, citizen activism on climate rises when environmentalists are out of power, are in opposition.
https:\/\/seas.umich.edu\/research\/faculty\/geoffrey-henderson<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Volunteers:  On-Site — <\/strong>
Tom DuRussel-Weston, Lauren Sargent, Saski Dwarshuis, Jim Svensson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Publicity — <\/strong>
Card drop & canvassing by Mike MacGregor, Lauren Sargent, Saskia Dwarshuis, Diane Roulston, Jeanne Horvath<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potluck Extras<\/strong> —<\/strong>
Tom DuRussel-Weston, vegetarian chili; Jeanne Horvath, cheese & crackers; Rae Ann Weymouth, home baked goodies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special Thanks  Janet Cannon, Co-Chair, Precinct Organizing Committee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharon Simonton, Co-Chair, Membership Committee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendors<\/strong>:
C. Lyte Consulting Catering, owned by County Commissioner Crystal Lyte, District  2<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here is the Program!Mayor Christopher Taylor: 5:30A2Zero, Sustainable Energy Utility, City incentives,and supporting climate policy locally Heather Chen-Yost: 5:45 \u2013 6:45Citizens\u2019 Climate Lobbyhttps:\/\/citizensclimatelobby.org\/chapters\/Michigan_-_At_Large\/Yousef Rabhi: 6:50Washtenaw County CommissionerPublic Power, dynamics withDTE, how to claim power locallyhttps:\/\/www.washtenaw.org\/226\/District-8 State\u00a0Representative Morgan Foreman: 7:10State climate and utility reformhttps:\/\/housedems.com\/morgan-foreman\/ Heather Chen-Yost: 5:45 – 6:45Citizens\u2019 Climate Lobbyhttps:\/\/citizensclimatelobby.org\/chapters\/Michigan_-_At_Large\/ Mayor Taylor: 6:45 A2Zero, Sustainable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mike"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1182"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1182\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1194,"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1182\/revisions\/1194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikevictor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}