Gov. Rick Snyder was recently awarded recognition of his efforts to reduce Michigan’s energy waste from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance this week.

The National Energy Foundation-Michigan office, based in Milford, is a recipient of an Inspiring Efficiency Award from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, (MEEA), according to a press release from MEEA. The MEEA is presenting its annual awards to leaders who deliver groundbreaking advancements in energy efficiency in five categories: Leadership, Education, Impact, Innovation and Marketing. An awards ceremony will be held as part of the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference in Chicago on Feb.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Nominating Committee is soliciting applications from persons interested in filling one current vacancy on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) created by the retirement of Chairman James Atterholt.

Partisan fights in Washington can leave the impression that we’re hopelessly divided. The truth is there are plenty of bipartisan solutions to the energy and environmental challenges we face, and energy efficiency is near the top of the list.

Mayor John Cranley declared October 5, 2017 "Energy Efficiency Day" in the City of Cincinnati. 

"Over the last 10 years the City of Cincinnati has implemented energy efficiency improvements that save taxpayers more than $3 million per year," the mayor's proclamation reads. 

 "Citizens are urged to join us in supporting our clean energy goals and moving toward more energy efficiency now and in the future."

Governor Rick Snyder issued a proclamation declaring October 5, 2017 "Energy Efficiency Day" in the State of Michigan. 

"Reliable, affordable energy is vital to our economic prosperity and energy waste reduction is the most productive and cost-effective way to meet our energy needs," the proclamation says. 

"Smarter energy use reduces the amount of electricity we need to power our lives, which helps avoid power plant emissions that can harm our health, pollute our air, and warm our climate."

Ohio Governor John Kasich has declared October 2017 "Energy Efficiency Month." 

The proclamation points out that "energy efficiency measures reduce energy use and costs for Ohio businesses, communities and families" and provide benefits to "low-income and older Ohioans." 

By Frank Jossi, Midwest Energy News

Minnesota is the only Midwest state ranked in the top 10 of the annual American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s State Energy Efficiency Scorecard.

The state’s ninth place standing, announced this week, topped Michigan and Illinois (tied for 11th); Iowa (19th); Wisconsin (24th); Ohio (31st) and Indiana (40th). South Dakota and North Dakota rounded out the bottom.

CLEVELAND -- When you read the recent headlines about the nearly 600,000 people working in clean-energy jobs across the Midwest, you probably pictured solar panels and wind turbines.

But the vast majority of those jobs - including more than 81,000 jobs in Ohio alone - are in energy efficiency, forming a largely invisible but powerful workforce that helps keep energy costs low and productivity high.