Geothermal Energy Comes to Michigan’s State Capitol Building

By Chuck Otto, USGBC-WM Staff Writer The Michigan Capitol in Lansing is in the midst of a conversion of its heating and cooling system to geothermal energy. The geothermal renovation is part of a two-year, $70 million project known as the Capitol Infrastructure Upgrade (CIU), an effort designed to bring the 138-year-old building into the…

Read More

Odawa Casino Resort Biggest Loser in Entertainment Category

Petoskey’s Odawa Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The resort website boasts of a nearly 300,000 sq. ft. facility that features slots and table games, hotel rooms, indoor pool, restaurants, retail and more. Odawa Casino Resort’s dedication to energy conservation is reflected in the numerous awards…

Read More

Barfly Ventures – Grand Rapids Brewing Company Biggest Loser in Entertainment Category

Major investments into energy efficient equipment or systems are not always necessary to reduce significant amounts of energy usage. BarFly Ventures is a prime example of that. The Grand Rapids-based restaurant/bar company manages 4 locations, including HopCat, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, Stella’s and Waldron. Additionally, BarFly has opened eleven HopCat restaurants outside of the West…

Read More

Ford Field Stadium Home of Detroit Lions Biggest Loser in Mixed Use Category

Detroit’s Ford Field Stadium is in year three of a five-year energy reduction plan. Home to the Detroit Lions football team, the 1.8 million-square-foot stadium includes 420 thousand square feet of tenant office space and a 275 thousand-square-foot parking deck. Ford Field Facility Director Fred Reddig attributes the facility’s 5.87 percent energy reduction and strong…

Read More

Gordon Food Service – Clay Campus Biggest Loser in Mixed Use Category

Gordon Food Service is North America’s largest privately held and family-managed broadline foodservice distributor. The company operates in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Southwestern United States, and coast-to-coast in Canada. There are currently 170 Gordon Food Service Store locations. Gordon Food Service placed second in the “mixed-use” category of the 2016 Michigan Battle of the…

Read More

Primera Plastics Inc. Biggest Loser in the Warehouse & Distribution Category

Primera Plastics, Inc. produces precision plastic injection moldings. Founded in Zeeland in 1994 by Noel Cuellar, the company’s primary clients are in the automotive industry, but it also produces moldings for furniture and medical furniture manufacturers. Primera Plastics ships most of its products across the U.S. and to Mexico, although it also maintains relationships around…

Read More

Muskegon County Triumphs at Energy Efficiency

Sustainability is a necessity, not a choice, for public and government buildings to be good stewards with community tax dollars. Today, Muskegon County takes this responsibility very seriously through the sustainable foundation that began more than 20 years ago. Each year, Muskegon County enters the Michigan Battle of the Buildings competition. The Michigan Battle of…

Read More

Ford Field is Tackling Energy, One Kilowatt at a Time

The Lions football players aren’t the only ones doing the tackling at Ford Field. Over the last few years, the sustainability department has been tackling some extensive energy projects and the result is impressive for the 1,826,250 square feet facility that covers a 25-acre footprint in downtown Detroit. Heading the sustainability efforts at Ford Field…

Read More

General Motors Commits to 100% Renewable Energy

Recently announced, General Motors (GM) pledges to source electricity for its 350 operations in 59 countries with 100 percent renewable energy from wind, sun and landfill gas by 2050.  GM aspires to institute climate change across the world with its electrified vehicles, efficient manufacturing and latest renewable energy goal. General Motors has made a substantial…

Read More