Viewing Grant Proposal: Michigan State University_RNG Upgrading Facility

The project is to build a renewable natural gas (RNG) upgrading facility that supports Public Act 119 of 2023 and objectives of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. Annually, the project will produce approx. 116,800 MMBtu of RNG from animal manure and food waste, and reduce 17,676 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. In addition to decarbonizing heating, the project supports MSU’s mission to train the future RNG workforce and demonstrate innovation for clean heat, vehicle electrification, and the advancement of farm management best practices.
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Comments
Comment Date: Comment:
3/20/2024 6:43:32 PM
I strongly oppose this proposal and urge the MPSC not to award it a RE-EIED grant. Michigan State University should use its existing funding streams for this project, not compete for rare grant funds that would be better utilized for cash-strapped communities, non-profits, and small businesses working to build actual renewable energy and reduce fossil fuel consumption. Projects like this should not be a priority over true renewable energy and electrification projects. If you want to reduce methane emissions, efforts like composting and reducing meat consumption would be much more effective and direct than projects like this.
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4/8/2024 3:57:18 PM
These funds should be awarded to projects that are seeking to make significant decreases in GHG emissions through renewable energy, efficiency, battery storage, and electric technologies.
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4/12/2024 2:21:14 PM
Oxfam is a global organization that fights poverty and inequality. On behalf of our 18,000 supporters in Michigan, we strongly oppose this proposal and urge the MPSC not to award it a RE-EIED grant. Universities should be leading the way when it comes to innovative clean energy solutions that improve public health and mitigate the impacts of climate change. This project would lock in carbon dioxide, methane, and other emissions for decades to come. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Michigan residents have observed unsettling climate changes — unusual warmth in winter, severe asthma conditions linked to air quality, and erratic weather patterns threatening local agriculture. Given our work in countries around the globe, we see firsthand the impacts that heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, floods, and famines have in communities. So-called “Renewable Natural Gas” projects like this would exacerbate our dependence on gas infrastructure when we should be fully pursuing renewable energy, efficiency, storage, and electrification solutions instead. State funding for this project would undermine efforts to ensure that Michigan is a leader in responding to the climate crisis.
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4/12/2024 3:23:06 PM
SRAP submits comments and exhibits in OPPOSITION to the proposal via the links below, and emailed the documents to LARA on April 12, 2024 Comments - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TN2XAakgryIVU8Og02aB0TU5T3tE16FB/view?usp=drive_link Exhibits 1, 2 and 3 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/10IEjQpgEjWzDB0kG3NgshUClRZvePYHp/view?usp=drive_link
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