Click on the episode title to be taken to Podbean to hear the episode. These podcasts and a couple more can also be heard on Copper Beacon’s Spotify channel.
Episode 1
In this first episode, I briefly interview Kathleen Halvorsen and Roman Sidortsov. I feel like any introduction I try to give them hardly does them justice. Both of them research and work with energy policy on a national and international level, but they also both live here, in Houghton County. We discussed the tradeoffs of local wind turbine development and the mitigating factor that distributed generation might play in energy development and resiliency.
Episode 2
Will the construction of wind turbines in your area reduce your electricity rates? In Michigan, nobody can really say for certain, because privately-owned electric and gas utility rates are set through a process and ultimately decided by the Michigan Public Service Commission, a group of three appointed individuals.
This podcast tries to explain the process and how resident consumers can get involved.
Featuring interviews with Elise Matz, Vice-Chairperson of the Utility Consumer Participation Board, and Jenn Hill, Secretary of the Citizens Utility Board.
View the MPSC rate making flowchart by clicking here.
Episode 3 – The Birds and the Bats
Featuring interviews with Copper Country Audubon Society Vice President Joseph Youngman and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resource Department Wildlife (and bat study) Coordinator Kyle Seppanen.