1 – Energy efficiency is cost-effective in Michigan. 

The fourth and final report from Gov. Rick Snyder’s year-long look at Michigan’s energy landscape has been issued.

This report covers energy efficiency. It notes that Michigan utilities have met or exceeded targets under Energy Optimization programs. It also found that those programs have saved money for ratepayers, at a third of the cost of new generation.

For each dollar spent on utility programs during 2012, it is estimated that customers benefited from about $3.83 in avoided energy costs.

The governor is expected to make recommendations on Michigan’s energy future before the end of the year.

2 – An Electric Reliability Project is gaining members.

After widespread power outages across the state earlier this month, the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council says more residential utility customers have been joining. The effort is meant to reduce the number and duration of outages in Michigan.

The Council is a renewable energy trade group. It participates in proceedings with the Michigan Public Service Commission to support an “increased focus on Michigan’s aging distribution infrastructure and ways that advanced energy technology and business models can boost the resiliency of the grid.”

You can join the project by searching for “Electric Reliability Project” on Facebook.

3 – Cases of Type E botulism, a disease caused when birds eat fish infected with bacteria, are on the rise.

The disease killed about 10,000 more waterfowl in 2007 than when it was first reported in 1963. Loons have been affected on the Great Lakes.

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the U.S. Geological Survey are working on tracking software to better determine the source of lethal outbreaks that infect fish eaten by waterbirds.

The idea is to reconstruct the likely routes that bird bodies may have traveled after they die.

The information can be used to figure out where waterbirds are likely exposed to the toxin.