For Friday, Dec. 18, 2020
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1 – Public water systems are an industry that lacks skilled workers across the country.
Through a new partnership, Flint-area students can attend Delta to train for those jobs.
The partnership includes Flint Public Schools, the city of Flint and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Delta program will allow students to earn an associate’s degree and potentially pursue a career at the Flint Public Water System.
Delta officials say the college is one of just a few in Michigan to offer a water environmental technology program.
2 – Michigan ranks 13 in the U.S. when it comes to energy efficiency.
The number comes from a 2020 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.
The nonprofit says COVID slowed some efforts this year, but more states adopted or advanced new energy-saving targets and vehicle and appliance rules in 2020.
California topped the list of states and Minnesota led in the Midwest at No. 9.
The report names Michigan as a “state to watch” and notes that regulators this year approved plans by utilities to expand efficiency programs.
3 – NextCycle Michigan is a public-private partnership that aims to build the state’s recycling and recovery economy.
Every year, Michigan businesses bury almost 7 million tons of materials in landfills that could be recycled.
Diverting those materials from landfills would add billions of dollars in economic activity to the economy, officials say. The recovery also would avoid millions of tons of emissions that contribute to climate change.
NextCycle Michigan is built on a business incubator concept from Colorado.
The effort is recruiting partners to support the project and has already identified $100 million of investment underway or planned in the state.
– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Friday mornings in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM (streaming). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes
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Mr Great Lakes 