Contact: Scott Whitcomb, 231-373-3007 or Ed Golder, 517-643-6406 Agency: Natural Resources
Sept. 15, 2020
"Not only will this project provide clean energy for the hatchery's visitor center, but with Oden being the second-most visited fish hatchery in Michigan, this will also create an excellent educational opportunity," said Scott Whitcomb, senior advisor for wildlife and public lands with the DNR's Executive Division. "People will be able to see first-hand how renewable energy can be put to work effectively."
More on Michimich.com
In June, the DNR put out a request for proposals, with major funding for the pilot project provided the Frey Family Fund, which contributed $15,000 via a donor-advised fund of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Friends of Oden Fish Hatchery, which donated $10,000.
Bids were received from Charthouse Energy of Muskegon, Green Panel LLC of Brighton and Utopian Power LLC of South Lyon. A joint DNR evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and selected Utopian Power, which proposed a ground array solar solution for $26,500.
"Award recommendation is made to the responsive and responsible bidder who offers the best value to the state of Michigan," wrote Laura Gyorkos, a committee member and solicitation manager for the DNR's Finance and Operations Division, in the document announcing the panel's decision.
"Utopian is an interesting story," Whitcomb said. "Two guys from Michigan move away from the state, then come back to try this renewable energy start-up in their home state. While away, one of them works in a fish hatchery and now they're installing solar in a fish hatchery."
Forrest Cohn, president of Utopian Power, said the company is "extremely excited for the opportunity to showcase local renewable, sustainable and clean energy to the visitors of Oden State Fish Hatchery."
More on Michimich.com
"We hope that this display will pique the interests of those who see it and encourage them to pursue, and ask for, more renewable energy generation in their communities."
Michigan Energy Options, an East Lansing non-profit organization under contract with the DNR, worked on evaluating the proposal. The firm has assisted the DNR with the technical aspects of understanding solar energy.
Work on the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
A recent energy audit showed that the DNR's six fish hatcheries account for 15 percent of the DNR's total energy consumption.
The Oden State Fish Hatchery is home to the only stream-side fish viewing chamber east of the Rocky Mountains and it will be the future host site for raising Arctic grayling brood stock to be used to reintroduce that native fish to Michigan waters.
For more information on Michigan's state fish hatcheries, visit Michigan.gov/Hatcheries.
Find out more about Michigan's renewable energy efforts.
Children: Wide-eyed children enjoy a tour of the Oden State Fish Hatchery in Emmet County.
Sept. 15, 2020
| The Oden State Fish Hatchery raises 650,000 brown and rainbow trout each year, in addition to educating and accommodating more than 32,000 visitors. It's a big job that takes 1.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity, the highest energy consumption rate among the six fish hatcheries managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. To reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, along with furthering the state's progress toward converting facilities to renewable energy use, the DNR developed a public-private partnership at the Oden hatchery. The result of that partnership will be a solar-powered installation at the Oden Hatchery Visitor Center, located along US Highway-31 between Conway and Oden. |
"Not only will this project provide clean energy for the hatchery's visitor center, but with Oden being the second-most visited fish hatchery in Michigan, this will also create an excellent educational opportunity," said Scott Whitcomb, senior advisor for wildlife and public lands with the DNR's Executive Division. "People will be able to see first-hand how renewable energy can be put to work effectively."
More on Michimich.com
- Michigan: AG Nessel Announces $60M Multistate Settlement with Surgical Mesh Provider CR Bard
- New live video network for students enhances college social life and campus entertainment
- Mom-Oriented UX Design Coaching Program Offers Newest Opportunity for Success from You Are TechY
- TLC Cleaning owner Trisha Lake expands to open company's 3rd location
- Soldiers Sentry Shows the world love with new video
In June, the DNR put out a request for proposals, with major funding for the pilot project provided the Frey Family Fund, which contributed $15,000 via a donor-advised fund of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Friends of Oden Fish Hatchery, which donated $10,000.
Bids were received from Charthouse Energy of Muskegon, Green Panel LLC of Brighton and Utopian Power LLC of South Lyon. A joint DNR evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and selected Utopian Power, which proposed a ground array solar solution for $26,500.
"Award recommendation is made to the responsive and responsible bidder who offers the best value to the state of Michigan," wrote Laura Gyorkos, a committee member and solicitation manager for the DNR's Finance and Operations Division, in the document announcing the panel's decision.
"Utopian is an interesting story," Whitcomb said. "Two guys from Michigan move away from the state, then come back to try this renewable energy start-up in their home state. While away, one of them works in a fish hatchery and now they're installing solar in a fish hatchery."
Forrest Cohn, president of Utopian Power, said the company is "extremely excited for the opportunity to showcase local renewable, sustainable and clean energy to the visitors of Oden State Fish Hatchery."
More on Michimich.com
- Michigan: MPSC seeks recommendations for updated integrated resource planning to consider Gov. Whitmer's goals to reduce emissions
- Absentee ballots mailed today, early voting begins in Michigan
- Michigan: Drivers risk tickets after license, vehicle registration extension expires Sept. 30
- Michigan: I-75 lane shift requires northbound single-lane closures in Oakland County
- Michigan: AG Nessel Joins Coalition Supporting Federal Court Order Shutting Down Dakota Access Pipeline
"We hope that this display will pique the interests of those who see it and encourage them to pursue, and ask for, more renewable energy generation in their communities."
Michigan Energy Options, an East Lansing non-profit organization under contract with the DNR, worked on evaluating the proposal. The firm has assisted the DNR with the technical aspects of understanding solar energy.
Work on the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
A recent energy audit showed that the DNR's six fish hatcheries account for 15 percent of the DNR's total energy consumption.
The Oden State Fish Hatchery is home to the only stream-side fish viewing chamber east of the Rocky Mountains and it will be the future host site for raising Arctic grayling brood stock to be used to reintroduce that native fish to Michigan waters.
For more information on Michigan's state fish hatcheries, visit Michigan.gov/Hatcheries.
Find out more about Michigan's renewable energy efforts.
Children: Wide-eyed children enjoy a tour of the Oden State Fish Hatchery in Emmet County.
0 Comments
Latest on Michimich.com
- Michigan: US-2 rebuilding project from Gladstone to Rapid River wrapping up early
- Secretary Benson discusses Michigan's Qualified Voter File, misinformation and other topics with elections expert David Becker
- QUByte Connect 2020 - Digital Event by QUByte Interactive
- AUA, CIMT Forge Agreement Creating Med School Pathway for Canadian Students
- Celebrate 30 Years Of Beverly Hills 90210 With The Beverly Hills 90210 Podcast Super Show
- World Theatrical Premiere Of The Documentary "Me The People" Official Selection At Boston Film Festival 2020
- Michigan: MDOT receives federal $15.6 million grant for safety improvements along rail corridor
- Michigan: AG Nessel Fights Federal Attempts to Weaken Environmental Protections Despite Climate Change Warnings
- Canada's CHEK TV upgrades with the new Wohler iVAM1-1
- CIMdata Releases Series of Country-Specific PLM Market Analysis Reports
- Autism Memoir Launches During Canadian Autism Awareness Month
- Former Detroit Tiger Denny McLain Offers Up Thousands Of Pieces Of Baseball Memorabilia From His Personal Collection - Many Rare - To The Public, Oct. 2-4
- Michigan: Prescription drugs covered by Medicaid Health Plans topic of October meeting
- Michigan: Attorney General Nessel Opposes Federal Effort to Weaken Protections for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals in Shelters
- Ideanomics Hires Dr. Liqing Hu a Fuel Cell Expert For Its EV Truck Division
- Sterling Heights: GFL Holiday Schedule 2020
- Allen Maintenance Corporation Delivers Commercial Cleaning and Building Maintenance
- Franworth Announces Launch of Nonprofit Company Franchise For Good
- NATP announces Virtual Tax Season Update
- AutoQuotes Announces Partnership with Energy Solutions