Recap of MEECA’s 3rd Annual Golf Outing

Image: MEECA members enjoying a fine summer day at Hawk Hollow Golf Course.
Eighty-four people participated in this year’s Summer Golf Outing on July 10th. For the third straight year, Hawk Hollow’s popular course provided the backdrop and the weather cooperated fully. Following the 18-hole scramble, the day ended with an awards reception in the clubhouse. Once again the annual fundraiser combined valuable networking with the chance to enjoy the Michigan summer in a beautiful setting. Pictures from this year’s Golf Outing are available at the MEECA website.
Plenty of golfing skill was on display this year. In particular, we recognize the following competition winners:
- 1st Place Team: Anis Saad, Bennie Brown, Kyle Rhodes, Paul Brown
- 2nd Place Team: Michael Krygier, Ben Glendening, Alex Watkins, Joe Wadel
- 3rd Place Team: Paul Brennan, Steve Kelly, Walt Dindoffer, Kevin Anderson
- 13th Place Team: Travis Lalonde, Kory Elkins, Kaylan Meinecke, Jim Schwanitz
- Women’s Longest Drive: Jennifer Alvarado
- Men’s Longest Drive: Alex Watkins
- Longest Putt: Pete Kiser
- Closest-to-the-Pin: Sean Williams
- Practice Putting Contest: Ben Glendening
Thanks to everyone who made this year’s event another great success! Once more, we gratefully acknowledge our generous sponsors. Joining 2019 Title Sponsor DNV GL were CLEAResult (Awards Reception Sponsor); SEEL (Golf Cart Sponsor); ICF (Lunch-on-the-Go Sponsor); Walker-Miller Energy Services (Beverage Cart Sponsor); DTE Energy (Men’s and Women’s Longest Drive Sponsorships); 5 Lakes Energy (Closest-to-the-Pin Contest Sponsor); Duro-Last, Inc. (Longest Putt Contest Sponsor); Development Solutions Midwest (Beat-the-Pro Contest Sponsor); Consumers Energy (Practice Putting Contest Sponsor); and Pure Eco, Behler-Young, and Team Financial Group (Single Hole Sponsors).
MEECA Announces Strategic Partnership with SBAM
This month MEECA officially launched a new partnership with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). As a result, companies can now enjoy SBAM Premium membership benefits through their MEECA membership—at no additional cost.
As part of SBAM’s network of more than 26,000 companies, MEECA members now have direct access to a range of tools, resources and services designed to help small businesses in Michigan. These include but are not limited to:
- SBAM-sponsored health insurance plans
- Expert hotline for legal and HR issues
- EIRSA compliance and COBRA administration services
- Talent development training tools by Dale Carnegie
- Discount tuition at Davenport University
- IT services by NuWave Technology Partners
- Merchant services through Bancard
- Discounts for FedEx shipping and Office Depot
- SBAM publications
MEECA is excited to make these SBAM benefits available to our members at no addition cost. This strategic partnership only adds to the existing value of a MEECA membership. MEECA members who have not been contacted by SBAM with detailed information about this program should contact David Gard at david@meeca.info or 517-896-2960. Or, approach him if you are interested in joining MEECA to take advantage of the SBAM partnership.
EE in the News

Holland Energy Fund Reaches Milestone
The Holland Energy Fund’s on-bill financing program for residential efficiency has extended its 100th loan to a homeowner in Holland, MI. The program began in 2016 and provides city residents low, fixed-interest loans for EE upgrades that are repaid through Holland Board of Public Works monthly electric bills. “With $1.5 million in loans, projects are averaging $15,000,” said Tim Vagle, president of Holland Energy Fund and city treasurer.
Tech-Savvy People More Interested in Saving Energy
Energy News Network reports on a new study showing that utility EE programs could find success by appealing to those interested in smart technology. That latest “Consumer Pulse and Market Segmentation” survey from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) found that customers who are active with their smart gadgets—such as smartphones, tables, and so forth—are more responsive to programs that save energy.
New Study Ranks Detroit and Grand Rapids on Energy Performance
The American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) has issued a new report showing room for improvement on energy efficiency by Michigan’s two largest cities. The report also contains best practices for community-based energy savings. See the full story in the Detroit Metro Times.
Detroit Adopts GHG Resolution
As recently reported, the Detroit City Council unanimously passed an ordinance this month to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 30 percent in the next five years. This would lower the city’s emissions to 7.4 million tons by 2025.
Hot enough for you? Utilities need to transform to address climate goals.
A recent blog by the American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) underscores the central role energy efficiency can play in addressing the rise in extreme weather events and other factors linked to climate change. The entire piece can be found on the ACEEE website.
Public Policy Update
Energy Efficiency Expert to Join MPSC
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Tremaine Phillips to a six-year term to replace Commissioner Norm Saari on the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Phillips’ term will start on September 9th and his appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate.
Mr. Phillips is no stranger to the clean energy industry. He currently directs the Cincinnati 2030 District which aims to reduce emissions among participating members 50 percent by 2030 through energy efficiency and other strategies. He was an assistant deputy director in the former Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.
MEECA congratulates Mr. Phillips on his appointment and looks forward to introducing him to our members this fall.
Gov. Whitmer Appoints MEECA Members to State Code Commission
MEECA was recently approached for help in identifying contractors to serve on the State Construction Code Commission. This led to the appointment of two MEECA members—Brad Bartholomew (Bartholomew Heating & Cooling, Inc.) and Mark Lee (Better World Builders)—to terms expiring January 31, 2023. The Commission was created to improve the quality of housing for Michigan residents while assisting the housing industry. Congratulations to Mark and Brad! We appreciate their efforts to represent Michigan’s EE industry in this important forum.
Policy Alert: Ohio Legislature Guts EE Programs
The Ohio General Assembly passed and Gov. DeWine has signed H.B. 6 which will effectively end utility-run energy efficiency in Ohio after 2020. The law prohibits utilities from receiving cost recovery for EE programs once a combined 17.5 percent energy savings is reached. Why does this matter for Michigan’s EE industry? Because there are strong interests working hard to expand these types of harmful policies to other states. This reality makes MEECA’s ongoing work to represent our members in Lansing all the more critical.
Residential AC and heat pump efficiency to rise in 2023
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), all new residential central air conditioning and air-source heat pump systems sold in the U.S. must meet new minimum energy efficiency standards beginning in 2023.
Bipartisan federal legislation targets building codes
A group of U.S. Senators from both major parties recently introduced a bill to strengthen national model building codes to make new homes and commercial buildings more efficient. Among other provisions, it would also create a commercial building energy efficiency financing initiative. Read the article by Utility Dive.