Technology-Driven Air Quality Monitoring Gains Traction in Detroit
JustAir, a Detroit-based startup cofounded by Darren Riley leverages data and technology to provide hyperlocal air quality insights, largely in urban areas. By deploying a network of air monitors, JustAir delivers real-time data that communities, policymakers, and environmental justice groups can use to push for meaningful action. With funding from initiatives that include Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, the company is building systems that aim to transform how cities like Detroit manage air quality challenges. SBN Detroit interviewed Riley to learn about the broader implications of air quality monitoring, the challenges of implementing these systems, and how accessible data can drive public health improvements and policy changes. Q: Why is air quality monitoring critical in urban environments like Detroit? A: Detroit has a history of industrial pollution and high traffic volumes, especially in areas like Southwest Detroit, where I live. These factors contribute to some of the worst asthma rates in the country. Traditionally, air quality data has been collected on a regional level, offering only a broad overview. But air pollution isn’t uniform across a city – it can vary dramatically from one block to the next. Localized data helps us understand where the worst impacts are happening, who is most affected, and when conditions are at their worst. This kind of granular information is essential for designing targeted interventions going forward. Q: How does air quality monitoring technology work? A: Traditional air monitoring relies on a handful of monitors spread across a large area, often providing limited insights. Our software facilitates and integrates multiple air monitors within a single area, sometimes scaling up to 50 or 75 units. These monitors collect data in real time, creating a detailed picture of air quality at a hyperlocal level. We don’t manufacture the monitors ourselves – we work with partners to deploy them. Our software acts as the brain, aggregating data and managing the network. The idea is to provide actionable insights that can help residents, and, also down the road, policymakers and stakeholders in cities like Detroit better understand their air quality challenges and begin to determine how to better manage them. Q: What is an example of your work in Southeast Michigan? A: We have a three-year contract with Wayne County, which, before this partnership, had just seven or eight monitors managed by EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy). We added 100 monitors across the county so now every community has at least one monitor. Residents can sign up to get alerts – they can subscribe to individual monitors in their area or around a particular school or place of worship, etc. They can set when they want to receive alerts. This is a customizable service and it’s free – anyone can visit JustAir.app/signup right now and sign up to receive those alerts. The county Department of Health Human & Veterans Services is our lead partner on this project and they’re diving into the data to better understand the air across the community. They’ll be able to use this information to improve the health, safety, and well-being of county residents. Q: What unique challenges do urban environments like Detroit face in addressing air quality? A: Urban air quality is influenced by a combination of mobile sources – like cars and trucks – and stationary sources, such as factories. Detroit’s high traffic volume, especially near international border crossings, adds to the problem. Wind patterns also play a role; on certain days, pollution can settle in specific neighborhoods, exacerbating the issue. Q: How does technology, particularly AI, help address these challenges, and what opportunities do you see for the future? A: Currently, we leverage AI to ensure the validity and accuracy of our data. This is crucial for providing communities with reliable information. We’re now moving into the next phase, where we aim to use AI to recommend actionable solutions for mitigating air quality issues. AI allows us to dig deeper into the root causes of pollution. It helps us analyze data patterns—such as specific pollutants, weather conditions, and wind patterns—to pinpoint sources of air pollution with greater confidence. By marrying environmental context with real-time data, we can provide more accurate insights. Looking ahead, the goal is to utilize these rich data sets to empower communities and policymakers to take informed action. We’re on the cusp of this now. Q: What are the challenges of deploying and maintaining air quality monitors in urban environments? A: Deployment involves hurdles like site selection, insurance, and technical logistics. Maintenance can be another challenge – we need to ensure data accuracy at all times. Our software includes an automated quality assurance system to detect and flag issues, ensuring the community gets reliable information. Q: JustAir recently received funding from Google. How will this investment be used? A: We’re one of ten companies nationwide to receive this funding, which is a great validator for us. Google conducted thorough technical due diligence, confirming that our technology is on the right track. We’re using the funding to enhance our AI capabilities, particularly in integrating contextual data with air quality metrics as I spoke about. The funding allows us to explore new solutions that can help inform and enforce public health policies. Q: How do you measure the success of your air quality monitoring initiatives? A: We have both short- and long-term metrics. In the short term, we focus on network reliability and user engagement—how often people access the data and whether they find it valuable. High engagement is a strong indicator that the information is meeting community needs. In the long term, we aim to measure health outcomes and policy impacts. For example, are asthma-related emergency visits declining in neighborhoods with high air quality awareness? Are cities using our data to implement more effective policies? Q: What does the future look like for JustAir? A: We’ve scaled significantly since launching three years ago, now partnering with 20 organizations across seven states. The future is about leveraging these networks to drive outcomes — working
Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation: Tackling Michigan’s Water Challenges
The Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation (MCFI) was created through a partnership between the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University to address diverse freshwater challenges in Southeast Michigan and across the state. Recent initiatives include developing nature-based solutions, promoting regional water planning, and improving stormwater infrastructure in Southeast Michigan, aiming to position the state as a leader in freshwater innovation and economic growth. SBND spoke with Curt Wolf, managing director at the University of Michigan Urban Collaboratory and managing director of MCFI about its projects, challenges, and vision. Q: What inspired the creation of the Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation, and how did it come about? A: The Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation was conceived through a collaborative effort led by the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University. This initiative aims to tackle Michigan’s freshwater challenges, which vary widely across the state—from excessive water and flooding in some areas to contamination threats and inadequate supplies in others. The MCFI was established to address these complex and diverse issues through a coordinated approach involving multiple stakeholders, including water utilities, community groups, NGOs, practitioners, and state agencies. It is also a way for these institutions to work together to give something back to the great State of Michigan. Q: Is this collaborative approach among institutions unique? A: It is somewhat unique. While there have been various attempts to address water issues in Michigan, the MCFI represents a significant step forward by bringing together an inclusive group of leading academic institutions and regional water stakeholders who can collectively implement real change and bring new and innovative solutions forward. The MCFI’s focus is the entire state of Michigan which has very rural areas but also a number of large cities. The three universities complement each other well as a team. UM is an internationally recognized research institution with often a global focus, MSU is a land grant university with incredible reach throughout the state through its extension network. Wayne State has more of an urban focus with important community ties. All three universities have amazing water research capabilities. The MCFI is much greater than just an academic collaboration, however. Creating an open table where all stakeholders have a voice is critical to solving the types of water problems we’re facing as a region. Q: What are some current projects the MCFI is working on? A: The MCFI is actively involved in several projects. One major focus is climate adaptation and regional resiliency, particularly addressing the impacts of catastrophic flooding, such as the 2021 events that affected thousands of homes in SE Michigan. The center is working on near-term solutions and leveraging regional cooperation to look at how we might enhance infrastructure, think outside the box, and address water stressors. One such project, funded by the Erb Family Foundation, is a groundbreaking project that aims to revolutionize stormwater management in Southeast Michigan. The team will identify barriers to regional stormwater cooperation and develop innovative solutions to better manage the impacts of extreme rain events and climate variability. By focusing on the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) wastewater service area in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, the project seeks to optimize existing water infrastructure assets through regional coordination. This approach could potentially save hundreds of millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs while improving flood control and water quality in major watersheds. The project involves extensive collaboration with local authorities, community engagement, and the exploration of successful regional stormwater cooperation models from other areas. The findings could pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective stormwater management strategies, benefiting both the environment and residents of SE Michigan. Another project, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), seeks to integrate large-scale Nature-Based (green) Solutions (NBS) with existing infrastructure (gray) to mitigate flooding and enhance ecological resilience. This project will develop a comprehensive strategy for the adaption of NBS on a regional scale leveraging land assets for water storage, restoring habitats, and promoting climate justice. By engaging local stakeholders and employing advanced modeling techniques, the project aims to develop a scalable and transferable framework for sustainable stormwater management. This effort is expected to improve community resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and provide significant benefits to fish and wildlife habitats, while also fostering socio-economic growth through enhanced property values and reduced flood insurance costs. Additionally, MCFI completed a project for the State of Michigan providing recommendations for promoting regional planning of water infrastructure throughout the state. The study, commissioned by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), identified opportunities for shared services, incentives for cooperation, and barriers that prevent public water supplies from serving areas outside their current boundaries. The research team conducted interviews, roundtable discussions, and technical analyses to gather insights from water system managers, local officials, and other stakeholders across the state. Findings and recommendations provided informed EGLE’s efforts to ensure equitable water infrastructure investments that provide high-quality drinking water at the lowest cost, in line with Governor Whitmer’s 2021 executive directive on safe drinking water. Q: What are the main water stressors facing the region? A: The region faces multiple water stressors, including aging infrastructure, climate change impacts, legacy industrial contamination, emerging contaminants (PFAS, microplastics, etc.), and regional growth impacts. Climate change is impacting Michigan in different ways than other parts of the country such as the Southwest. We are experiencing increased precipitation with more intense and sometimes highly localized storms. We have more water to manage than ever before. The region’s water systems, some of which are nearly 150 years old, were developed incrementally over time, adding to the complexity of addressing modern challenges. At the same time, there are portions of the state where groundwater resources are stressed, particularly in central areas of the state. Michiganders sometimes feel that we have unlimited water sources and that isn’t always the case. Q: What are the barriers to improving water management, and how can they be overcome? A: There are a
$129M From IRA Boosts Michigan’s Wind, Solar Plans
According to an announcement made by the state and federal governments in July, Michigan is set to receive a significant financial boost to aid in the expansion of large wind and solar projects. Specifically, $129 million in federal funds has been designated to streamline the processes involved in siting, zoning, and permitting large-scale renewable energy installations. This initiative aligns with the state’s goal to rapidly decarbonize its electric grid over the next decade. The funding, part of a $4.3 billion allocation being distributed across the United States, is sourced from the 2022 federal Inflation Reduction Act’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program. SBN Detroit interviewed Joel Howrani Heeres, director of community resilience at Public Sector Consultants, who also was Detroit’s first sustainability director, for his thoughts regarding how the money should and will be spent, potential challenges, geographical impact, and other topics. Q: Michigan recently received $129 million in federal funding to advance large wind and solar projects. How do you see it being allocated and what are the biggest priorities to address in terms of large wind and solar? A: I think that the state is rightfully deploying this money to help incentivize local governments to permit solar and wind projects within their boundaries. We have a very aggressive goal to achieve as a state – 60% renewable energy by 2030. The funds provide a significant incentive for communities to host renewable energy infrastructure, offering up to $5,000 per megawatt. Rural areas often lack the resources and personnel needed to review permits and manage other aspects of developing this infrastructure. This financial support will be instrumental in helping these communities navigate the complexities involved in such projects. Q: The funding comes from the Federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, created by the Inflation Reduction Act. Can you tell us more about this and its specific influence in Michigan? A: The CPRG is one of the first grant programs to enable both planning and implementation to address climate change. There is funding allocated for metropolitan areas above a certain size. To me, this regional approach makes a lot of sense. Emissions don’t stop at city boundaries. For example, there are many heavy industries on the Detroit/Melvindale border that impact that whole area and beyond. Taking a regional approach and also statewide grants have been used to help EGLE do their planning as well. I was disappointed to see that Michigan’s metro areas did not get implementation money from this grant, but accelerating renewables throughout the state is important. Q: What are the challenges that come with such large-scale complex projects in Michigan? A: First, local permitting and project development. The amount of land required for renewable energy installations presents another challenge, especially in rural areas where agricultural land is at a premium. Convincing these communities to accept large renewable installations, particularly when the power generated is likely to be consumed elsewhere, can be difficult. Discussing the benefits and costs of hosting these installations has become a political issue. Communities want to see tangible benefits and are reluctant to give up their land without adequate compensation. Thus, providing financial incentives to these communities could be an effective approach. Another important consideration is determining, from a grid perspective, the most strategic locations to connect these large installations to ensure efficient power transmission. Q: Is there a long runway with projects like this from an execution and timeline standpoint? A: Yes, there is. The process from conceptualization to actual ground-breaking involves numerous steps. This includes navigating the political landscape, such as public hearings and potential opposition. Additionally, there are essential stages like securing permits and installing infrastructure. Each of these components requires considerable time and careful planning. Q: Is there a geographical component? What areas of Michigan will be most impacted? A: Rural areas will be impacted the most. Beyond that, I don’t think there will be geographic concentration, I think it will spread across the state. Q: Do you foresee local opposition from Michiganders regarding these projects, and, if so, what are your thoughts on how to address this? A: Yes. Just the other day I was driving through Washtenaw County and saw signs that read “No Industrial Solar.” The focus returns to the tangible benefits of these installations. It is essential for people to see clear advantages. For instance, if a local government receives $5,000 per megawatt to enhance local services — funds that would not have been available otherwise — it can help alleviate some of the opposition to these projects. This financial support can be directed toward improving community services, thereby showcasing the positive community benefits of the installations. Q: Federal money will also flow to workforce development programs. What are your thoughts on how these projects may boost the economy and put people in jobs? A: It’s a crucial aspect of our current situation. We are undergoing a significant energy transition, shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, which represents a fundamentally different model. This transition requires Michiganders to acquire new skills to compete in the emerging green economy. Additionally, we’re moving toward the electrification of everything. By producing clean energy, we can electrify our homes, cars, and various aspects of our lives, as it all comes from a sustainable source. There is a critical need to retrain workers from the fossil fuel sector to participate in the electrified economy. Significant investments are being made in this area. Ultimately, this is a comprehensive ecosystem, and these changes will impact labor across all sectors. Q: What other ancillary benefits can we expect to accompany the execution of these projects? A: As we transition more of the energy load to cleaner technology, we’ll have less localized pollution, leading to statewide public health benefits. Additionally, there’s a significant potential for economic development. Michigan stands out as one of the most proactive states in terms of climate ambitions, which could attract industries seeking to operate on green power. Whether it’s tech companies, manufacturing firms, or other businesses, the state’s commitment to sustainability
EV Infrastructure Has Funding – When Will There Be Stations?
Three years ago, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress allocated $5 billion in federal funding to establish the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. This initiative aims to develop charger networks across each state to support electric vehicles (EVs). Of this funding, $110 million was earmarked for Michigan, covering the period through fiscal year 2026. However, the state has not yet seen the installation of any new power stations. As part of this effort, Red E Charging LLC – an EV infrastructure developer and charging network based in Detroit – has been awarded several NEVI contracts to install and manage in Michigan and a number of other states. SBN Detroit interviewed Red E Charging Founder Abass El-Hage about the timeline, barriers, and factors specific to Michigan regarding power station installation. Q: Since the announcement in 2021 of the $5 billion in federal funding just 11 EV stations have been installed across seven states, with none in Michigan to date. From your perspective, why is this? A: There are several reasons. First, this is a new process and it took time to get organized, generate RFPs, and kick it off. RFPs were published at the end of last year and contracts were awarded early this year. Setting up the necessary paperwork is tedious and time-consuming, and around public funds, there is just a lot of due diligence required. There are also multiple and varied requirements around bonding that can take another six months to sort out. Identifying appropriate locations for the charging stations with the right amenities on the property that’s willing to host can be time-consuming. On top of that, regardless of how long the paperwork takes, working with the utilities and getting the right equipment and resources in place can take six months to a year. It’s simply an arduous process that takes time. Q: Do the requirements vary from state to state? A: Yes. Every state is different when it comes to execution under NEVI. In Texas and New Mexico, the NEVI process is pretty straightforward, but Texas has issues with utilities that can slow things down. I would say Michigan is the middle of the road. And the biggest hurdle here is the strict bonding requirements. Not every state requires bonding, but Michigan requires a five-year bond that’s not run of the mill. Q: Outside of NEVI projects, is every state different? A: Yes. Incentives are different in every state. Utilities are different. In Michigan, we are lucky to have DTE and Consumers Energy. They have been helpful and proactive, and they facilitate a lot. EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) and the EPA have been helpful in Michigan as well, helping to create infrastructure in off-highway locations that are still easily accessible at reasonable rates. Q: In Michigan, are the challenges different in the Upper Peninsula compared with the Lower Peninsula? A: Yes. With every project there are financials, and in the UP there are fewer people, there is less traffic, and therefore less charger usage. It’s harder to justify a project when you don’t make the money back as fast. Additionally, utilities in the Upper Peninsula impose demand charges, which are flat fees added to the electric bill. These charges can be quite substantial. When considering these costs, the financial viability of a project often becomes questionable. Q: How do you view the transition from gas to electric vehicles being understood and received by the public? A: It’s a mixed bag. I think there is still a stigma around charging and how difficult and inconvenient it could be. It’s a misconception in my opinion. I drive from Detroit to Chicago regularly and along that route, I can stop to charge just like stopping for gas. Also, I think there’s been mixed messaging to the public by the auto industry – especially here in Detroit. When there are recalls, or if an automaker commits to building x amount of EVs and then scales back, this sends mixed signals to the public. Q: How many contracts in Michigan has Red E Charging been awarded and what is the status? A: We’ve been awarded 12 NEVI contracts all over the state and an additional 60 fast charger projects across the state for EGLE and utilities. As I explained, the paperwork along with bonding requirements plus environmental approvals, site checks, and more make this a slow process. But we have notice to proceed and are moving forward with the first few now, so these will be underway. The actual installation takes just about two weeks. We were also awarded a project outside of NEVI with the City of Detroit to install public-facing chargers throughout the city. Q: Michigan aims to have enough infrastructure for 2 million EVs on the roads by 2030. Do you think this is possible? A: Yes, I think it can happen. DTE and Consumers Energy are very helpful when it comes to single-family and multifamily homes. It’s cost-effective to have a charger at your home. That drive from Chicago to Detroit I talked about … I think by the end of the year there will be chargers every 20 miles or so, eliminating any planning needed because people will feel confident they can stop whenever they need a charge. I think in the near future the logistics involved in an EV experience will be no different than driving a gas-powered vehicle. It’s just a different thing fueling the car. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on sustainable business practices in and around Detroit.
A Look at EGLE’s Materials Waste Management Division
The Materials Management Division (MMD) of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) oversees solid and hazardous waste programs, radioactive materials activities, a radon awareness program, recycling, and energy programs. We interviewed the director of the division, Elizabeth Browne, to get some insights. Q: How do you think energy efficiency, recycling, and pollution prevention are interconnected when it comes to fostering sustainability in Southeast Michigan? A: I have always felt you can’t have any without the others, and they are all key to having a sustainable system. Maybe it’s my biologist background. Recycling facilitates energy efficiency since it translates to diverting items from landfills. If you have a good system, you are reusing and recycling materials nearby, you save energy by not transporting material across state lines. When we look at energy efficiency, it works the same way. If we decrease the effort and resources put into heating, cooling, water usage, and transportation systems by becoming more efficient, we have more resources to allocate elsewhere. And isn’t that the very heart and definition of sustainability? Q: How do environmental justice and underrepresented communities factor into these efforts in Southeast Michigan? A: They factor in highly. There are federal funding requirements to help regulate this. The federal Justice 40 program deems that 40% of grant funds be used in underrepresented communities. Even before that, this was a focus for us. If you look at any of our requests for proposals, we pay special attention to projects coming from underrepresented communities – places where the community’s ability to be more sustainable has been stressed. We are always trying to level the playing field. Q: You work with state and federal partners, entrepreneurs, companies, organizations, and communities to reduce Michigan’s reliance on nonrenewable energy. Can you tell us more about this work? A: We work with federal partners in seeking every grant opportunity that we feel we have a nexus with. We work with companies and organizations through the Retired Engineers, Scientists, Technicians, Administrators, Researchers, and Teachers (RESTART) program. This is a group of retired professionals who work with entities to identify where they have energy issues or where renewable energy options may be a benefit. We do energy audits for houses of worship, schools, and municipal buildings. In many cases, these buildings are older and not efficient, so we offer ideas on how to improve efficiency and look at renewable options. This helps them save financial resources that they can then allocate elsewhere. We have received grant money through the Charge Up Michigan Program to install fast chargers in communities. Within this program, the cost of charger installation is divided amongst the location owner, the utility provider, and EGLE. This allows us to install more chargers, and it helps the utilities get closer to their energy efficiency goals and benefits the property owner or business. We have worked with communities to replace diesel- and gas-powered vehicles with electric ones, including Willow Run Airport and the City of Detroit. In Detroit, we replaced diesel-powered garbage trucks with EVs. We work heavily with NextCycle and the Centropolis Accelerator program at Lawrence Technological University. These are both programs to support businesses in their early stages. NextCycle is geared toward recycling activities, and the Centropolis Accelerator focuses on clean technology and the circular economy. Q: What are your biggest challenges in materials management? A: The thing that keeps me up at night is navigating grant programs. There is this huge influx of federal money, but there are a lot of checks and balances, and trying to manage the funding appropriately is a challenge. There is a lot of hurry-up-and-wait involved. We have a phenomenal team, and I don’t want to break their backs as they work to move the money out to recipients. Q: What are your highest priorities? A: Moving as much of the funding to those who need it and doing it in a way that is equitable and fair and hits the highest needs. Sometimes we make decisions that aren’t flashy, but the impact they have on that community is significant. A small community getting a few solar panels to help power their community building so the kids have someplace to go after school is a good example. We try to disburse the money in a way that supports as many communities and people as possible. Q: What does the future look like? A: I think it keeps getting brighter. The Michigan Legislature recently passed an eight-bill package that updates solid waste laws and will ensure we have sufficient landfill capacity. We just held our Virtual Michigan Materials Management Conference and had almost 600 people from 11 states represented. Getting EV chargers out across the state and seeing more and more interest in communities in terms of electrification is good progress. There is so much potential for economic growth in the energy and recycling fields. It’s astronomical. This excites me. Every day, I see people and companies that are looking for support and direction on becoming more sustainable. More and more companies understand the need to be sustainable because the public is demanding it, and it’s also for their own good. I encourage everyone to reach out to us. People interested in any EGLE grant programs can go to Michigan.gov\EGLE and search for “grants and financing.” For more information about all things Materials Management Division, our web pages can be found at Michigan.gov/EGLE/about/organization/materials-management. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on sustainable business practices in and around Detroit.
EcoWorks: Addressing Climate Change by Enabling Sustainable Communities
EcoWorks is a nonprofit that works at the intersection of community development and sustainability. Based in Detroit, EcoWorks serves residents, households, community organizations, businesses, and municipalities, working to create just, equitable, and inclusive solutions to climate change. SBN Detroit spoke with Briana DuBose, EcoWorks executive director, to find out more. Q: Tell us about EcoWorks A: EcoWorks is a Detroit-based nonprofit that addresses climate change by enabling Michigan communities to be more environmentally and economically sustainable. We provide transformative climate and sustainable solutions for communities that are underserved and often unseen and unheard. We do this through community development, green consulting, home energy assistance, climate advocacy, education, and workforce development. Our Eco-D program is an equitable approach to securing affordable, healthy resilient homes and neighborhoods. We design and advocate solutions that promote utility affordability, housing security, climate resilience, and resident-led neighborhood development. We also work to engage community members to be part of learning about sustainability and provide direct service programs, upgrades and repairs, and more for underserved communities. Currently, we are working with four areas in Detroit – Hope Village, Southwest, Berg-Lahser, and Yorkshire Village to build out EcoDistricts. We offer comprehensive resources to help these areas transition to decarbonization and electrification. The program also provides residents and community organizations with resources to achieve healthy, affordable, resilient, and energy-secure homes and neighborhoods. Q: How do you work with Detroit neighborhoods and communities specifically? A: We look at ways to ensure the health and safety of all households. We focus on disadvantaged communities working with people who are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – for example air quality. We partner with coalitions to improve policy and design innovative financial models for healthy, green, housing and neighborhoods. An example of this is River Rouge, which is surrounded by multiple plants and therefore has poor air quality. We go in and have workshops to discuss sustainability and energy-saving measures in their area. People are often surprised that asthma can be caused by poor air quality. We will go in and perform needs assessments on homes and work toward proper sealing and weather stripping and filters so the residents can have clean air in their homes. We also work with the communities in a bigger way to do things like build rain gardens, create green spaces, and more toward the things the specific areas need. Q: How does the Strategic Community Initiatives Program work? A: We develop custom-fit climate and energy solutions for municipalities, school districts, health systems, small businesses, and nonprofits. SCI has secured over $5 million in clean energy investments and over $30 million in lifetime savings for over thirty Michigan municipalities. EcoWorks serves as the lead technical provider as part of the Sacred Spaces Clean Energy Grants, eliminating disproportionate energy burdens for low-income congregations, inclusive of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities statewide. Eleven houses of worship in low-income Michigan neighborhoods from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula will become more energy efficient with support from this $1.24 million grant of federal funds through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to make improvements that reduce their consumption of fossil fuels for electricity, heating, and cooling. From this, we expect the congregations to achieve a 15% energy savings that will go back into the communities. Q: How can a business in Southeast Michigan take advantage of EcoWorks? A: We bring a unique blend of people and change-management skills coupled with technical assessment and project management capabilities to businesses. Contact us and we’ll set up a meeting to talk. We can develop and manage holistic energy and climate action plans collaboratively for organizations. Q: How do you think EcoWorks impacts Southeast Michigan businesses? A: EcoWorks can help organizations stay nimble and resilient as energy costs and climate impacts rise. We can develop energy plans and implement energy projects by engaging people and bringing them together. We are often conveners. We are on the front line in communities, and we go into businesses to discuss how they may be contributing to the environment and sustainability in their communities. Often, businesses don’t know where to begin or may think sustainability initiatives are going to be expensive. We help educate them and show the ROI. Most businesses want to leave a better footprint on their community; they just need the resources to do so. Q: What are the biggest opportunities EcoWorks represents for Detroit? A: While our roots are firmly planted in energy conservation, we have grown to emphasize all aspects of sustainable development as it relates to building affordable, energy-efficient residential housing and commercial buildings. We are committed to promoting environmental equity and we take pride in helping communities get there. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on sustainable business practices in and around Detroit.
‘We’re Building More Than Just a Building Here’
Novi-based Cunningham-Limp is developing what it is planning to be the most sustainable construction project in Michigan. The six-building corporate campus at 35917 West 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills will serve as the new Detroit Engineering Center for electrical connection maker Japanese Solderless Terminals (JST). All materials for the buildings are naturally sourced, and the construction will feature no drywall, paint, structured steel, catch basins, storm pipes, carpet, or other synthetic products. SBN Detroit interviewed Jake Gardner, Cunningham-Limp project manager for the development, to find out more. Q: How does Cunningham-Limp approach sustainability as a company overall? A: Our mission at Cunningham-Limp is to make a positive impact on people, communities, and companies, and prioritizing environmental sustainability is one of the ways we fulfill that mission, so we work with our clients to implement creative, sustainable solutions wherever we can. Q: How did the JST project come to fruition? A: It first came to us through our president, Samuel J. Ashley Jr., who was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to be a part of something special in a commercial corridor using a completely sustainable methodology that will have a positive impact on the community. His first reaction was disbelief. He couldn’t imagine that something like this would ever be undertaken in our region. However, after introductory meetings and building relationships with the collective organizations participating in the project, we went into the early planning stages. Six years later here we are. Q: What is the impetus behind this project? A: The development is an homage to the forest and Japanese culture and design. The primary concept behind the project is to showcase the idea of harmony between people and the ecosystem, Japanese and American cultures, and the preservation of nature in a built environment. The philosophy is to promote corporate development in a way that is both humane and beneficial for the land it is being built on. The artistic portrayal of the forest in this project is more profound than any existing standards or certifications could reflect. Q: How do you approach a project like this? A: There was more than a decade of strategic planning before construction began. All aspects of the forest were thoroughly researched, and the findings of those studies have guided design and construction. Q: Is it more expensive to construct this way? A: It ultimately depends on what you consider to be an expense – and it’s important to look beyond just the financial aspect. We need to consider the impact our actions have on the environment. Yes, certain things may come with a financial cost, but the true cost of not taking care of our planet is far greater. We’re doing the right thing to make a positive impact on the planet. It’s not always about the money. Q: What are the biggest challenges? A: The unconventional approach to this project brings on many challenges. Some include stormwater management, utility connectivity between adjacent sites, and finding subcontractors who can perform the required construction techniques (building a thatched roof, for example). Also, because of the uniqueness of this project, a lot of the truly sustainable elements go beyond current ordinances and engineering standards, so getting the concepts approved took more effort than a traditional project would. Finally, finding subcontractors with the right mindset that are of commercial scale and size but whose quality of work is that of a high-end residential craftsman style approach is a challenge. Q: How will the building be cooled and heated? A: Geothermal energy is utilized to naturally heat and cool the site, while other supporting elements assist in regulating the temperature of the building. For instance, in the test lab, passive heating and cooling are implemented around the perimeter. This involves an unoccupied air chamber around the primarily underground test lab that helps in keeping the air cool, and skylights throughout the perimeter that aid in warming the air up. These elements reduce the workload on the geothermal energy system. Q: How was the site chosen? A: Our client and project owner, JST, wanted a heavily forested site located in Farmington Hills close to their local partners. They conducted extensive studies of the land, including the prior inhabitants of the site dating back to the Native American Potawatomi Tribe, as well as the identification of every plant and animal species represented on the parcel. Following the research, it was strategically picked because the property is one of the last forested sites in JST’s target demographic, with natural water features and proximity to JST’s current office. Q: Do you think this project will act as a “lead by example” with others looking to pursue more environmentally friendly structures? A: The dream and hope of the entire project team is for this approach to become a trend and be replicated by others moving forward. In fact, we are optimistic that the neighboring 30-acre site will also be used in an environmentally conscious manner. We hope whoever acquires the property will continue honoring the forest and its story. Q: What are some examples of other Cunningham-Limp projects that are focused on sustainability? A: JST is one of the sustainable builds that C-L is most known for, but we have extensive experience in implementing sustainable practices in our projects and working in sustainable markets. In 2005, the State of Michigan made a requirement that any new building had to be LEED-certified, so we built the first LEED-constructed project owned by the State of Michigan, which is occupied by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Additionally, we include adaptive reuse, Energy Star, and required environmental practices as part of our standard project delivery. We are currently working on two electric vehicle battery testing laboratories in Auburn Hills. Another project that’s been recognized for its sustainable construction is the Commongrounds cooperative project in Traverse City. Additionally, we recently received a 2023 Project Achievement award from CAM Magazine for our Orion Township Municipal Complex, which had many environmentally sustainable
Recycling Rates in Michigan Are At an All-Time High
According to a recent press conference from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), recycling in the Great Lakes Region is now at an all-time high. The total amount of residential recycled materials being reported for fiscal year (FY) 2022 was 620,494 tons – that’s over 66,000 tons more than the previous new record set the year prior. Materials Michiganders recycled last year would fill the football stadiums at Ford Field, Michigan State University’s Spartan Stadium, and the Big House at the University of Michigan. Michiganders recycled over 339,000 tons of paper and paper products during FY 2022, more than 154,000 tons of metals, more than 71,000 tons of glass, and over 45,000 tons of plastics and plastic products. SBN Detroit spoke to the executive director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition, Kerrin O’Brien, and executive director of Green Living Science, Natalie Jakub to get their unique perspectives on how the state got here and how businesses in Southeast Michigan are participating. Q: Recycling rates in Michigan are now at an all-time high. How did we get here? O’Brien: There is a history of recycling in Michigan communities. Those communities that made recycling a priority began to develop their own programs. With advocacy through the Michigan Recycling Coalition, we started to see state-level leadership around 2014. Then Governor Rick Snyder saw the value of recycling and productive materials management and funded four additional recycling technical assistance staffers. The state department also began working with stakeholders to identify the level of funding needed to support a robust recycling program in the state. Funding for recycling was passed in 2018 which supports community grants for infrastructure and market development which are needed to grow recycling in Michigan. Q: How do you think education has impacted the increase in recycling? Jakub: Green Living Science works a lot with youth and in schools and one of the things we continue to hear is that families will often begin recycling because their children have learned about it and want to institute it in their homes. So, more education at a young age is a natural part of this behavior. The more conversations we have about the impact that waste has on our lives, people start to understand. The simpler we can make the education and the actual act of recycling we will see more people willing to participate. The city of Detroit has a 40% recycling participation is a huge jump from 11% a decade ago, so people and businesses are learning and largely eager to support. Q: How does Green Living Science work with businesses in Southeast Michigan regarding recycling practices? Jakub: GLS began in 2011 with a focus on education in the schools but over the years we started to see a great need for local businesses to get support setting up programs. Many businesses don’t have a dedicated staff person so it’s typically an administrator now tasked with everything that is involved with recycling – which can be a lot. We developed a program called Bee Green Business to make it easy for businesses that includes setting up infrastructure, bins, signage, and education. Bee Green Business is an education and certification program that aids businesses and their employees in becoming responsible corporate citizens. This program has been successful from small independent brands like 14 East Café and Red Crown restaurant to large institutions like Henry Ford Health, Ally Financial the DIA, and more. A challenge we commonly see in commercial facilities is that they weren’t designed for more than one waste stream, so there are challenges with space issues and infrastructure needed to make the programs run smoothly and efficiently. Many haulers only offer dumpsters for recycling and we’ve learned that there’s a great need for cart programs. Something mobile that can be moved from an office to a loading dock and dumped. Q: How can we and are we bringing more businesses into our recycling efforts? O’Brien: Our perspective is that recycling services need to be on par with waste services. If we are serious about developing a circular economy and getting the most value out of the materials already circulating in our society then we have to divert waste to recycling. We are working to assure businesses have the services they need to do this. Businesses also have to make the budget and program choices to say yes recycling is worth it. Reducing waste can add to the bottom line and savings can be used to expand services to make recycling even more efficient. Real progress will be driven by a combination of factors including public opinion, consumer choice, manufacturer ESG goals, future resource needs, and policy. Together we think these elements are moving businesses to make smart choices with end-of-life materials. Q: What can businesses get even better at recycling? O’Brien: Right now, brands are driving recycling in a new way. Many national, and international brands are looking at where the resources for making future products will come from and many of them are recognizing that recycling provides them with needed feedstock for new products This long-term thinking about product development and impacts provides good reason to recycle for all of us. In addition, many more job and business opportunities will develop locally as we get better at sorting through waste to recover and process resources for manufacturing that would otherwise be thrown away. Q: What does all of this mean for job creation in Southeast Michigan? O’Brien: This is a big topic but basically what we are talking about in the development of a circular economy is creating a new sector based on extracting resources where no one saw resources before. Anything we can do in this new sector – collection, diversion, processing, secondary processing to turn plastic to pellets, for example, means a new business opportunity in this region, the state, and the country. Diverting the resources that are in our waste offers a huge opportunity for new jobs. Q: Governor Whitmer and the
Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority Seeks Decarbonization
Michigan’s largest inland port, the Port of Detroit is located on the Detroit River in Wayne County as well as the navigable portions of the Rouge River. The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority oversees the port, which is made up of multiple marine terminals for handling general, liquid, and bulk cargo as well as passengers. Each year, the Port Authority oversees more than eight million tons of cargo at 29 private and public sector terminal facilities in the Port of Detroit, including international and domestic commodities, which are shipped in and out of the port. The port is the third-largest steel-handling port in the nation. At the Port Authority’s own terminal, steel, aluminum, and project cargoes are handled for the support of the manufacturing community in Southeast Michigan. Now, the port is undergoing a decarbonization project which aims to reduce its environmental impact and improve air quality. The decarbonization project will be undertaken in partnership with Tunley Engineering and Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) and will involve a range of initiatives, including the implementation of renewable energy sources, the electrification of port equipment, and the use of cleaner fuels while ensuring residents and businesses in the area are involved and have input. Said Raquel Garcia, executive director of SDEV, “We are on board to – among other things – make sure the community understands what’s happening in their own backyard and that they have access to people leading the project.” SBN Detroit spoke with the executive director of the port, Mark Schrupp, about the project and its impact on tourism, area businesses, and more. Q: The Port of Detroit is going green with the goal of net zero by 2040. Can you provide some background on how you arrived here and how you are taking this on? A: Discussions originated in early 2022 with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers, looking at ways to help decarbonize the maritime industry. Our two overarching goals are to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A lot of the ports on the West Coast and Europe have been doing good work for several years. The Midwest is a little behind but starting to accelerate. We reached out to state Sen. Stephanie Chang, and she has been a great supporter. She assisted in helping us to secure $1 million in state funding to undertake a study on where we are today and develop a plan to decarbonize. The big challenge is that the Port Authority does not have the authority to compel the private terminals, which are responsible for 95% of the cargo, to participate. We have been identifying incentives and working to persuade these terminals to develop a single plan, measure the greenhouse gas emissions, and develop strategies together. To start, we needed outside expertise. We put together a scope of work in December and put out an RFP and ended up partnering with Tunley Engineering, which has been eager to jump in and help. We have also been working heavily with Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) who – among other things – is helping us to connect to the community to ensure we understand what their interests are. You can’t take on just a decarbonization plan… in the port region where people work and live it’s also about air quality, vibrations, sound and particulate matter, and more. So, we are looking at these things and working to address them through best practices. Since April, we’ve been engaging with terminals to get a baseline report of greenhouse gas emissions for each terminal. Once finished, we will publish an interactive map for people to see the current carbon footprint. We are specifically looking at the carbon footprint of moving cargo in and off the water – not the industrial practices of the businesses. We are also looking at the cruise ships that we service at our downtown dock, and the impacts and the footprint of governmental entities that participate in the port, such as the Detroit Police Harbor Master, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and more. This is a good time to be taking all of this on. There is a lot of federal and state funding and tax incentives that help bring down the initial cost of switching fuel sources. We’ll be applying for grants to help the terminals move forward. Q: What other entities are you working with to take on this project? A: We are engaging with many organizations and local sustainability offices to help and support our efforts. We have been working with The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to get data and take advantage of any grant opportunities to tackle air quality and particulate emissions. We have met with the EPA Region 5 office in Chicago to stay close in terms of funding opportunities and ways they can support our efforts. The International Maritime Organization has a 2050 plan in place and is setting standards around the fuel in the ships that move in international waterways. They are looking at cleaner fuel alternatives as well. The Port has a fueling station run by Waterfront Petroleum, and they are working toward a biodiesel fuel that can be used without having to change engines. Maritime infrastructure is very expensive and lasts a long time, so making changes needs to be planned carefully. Changing fuel to a lower carbon footprint, like biodiesel is a good first step because it doesn’t require any changes to ship engines. Zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia will take more planning and investment. We can’t do it all at once but should do what we can as we work in the right direction. Q: Do you think this a unique undertaking for a port authority? A: Ports on the coasts have been working on this for some time. California has led the way and those ports are ahead of us. The Port of Cleveland has done work to reduce its carbon footprint. So, they are a little ahead of us, but
Working to Sequester Carbon Within Urban Wood
According to Tiffany Giacobazzi, Ann Arbor urban forestry & natural resources planning coordinator the Ann Arbor Forestry Department, the city of Ann Arbor loses about 600 trees per year. This reduces its carbon storage capacity dramatically. Much of the loss sits within furniture-grade urban lumber, meaning the trees can be repurposed for furniture or other long-lived urban wood goods that aid in sequestering carbon, versus being used for mulch or firewood or being diverted to landfills. Ann Arbor has partnered with Urban Ashes to implement its Circular UrbanWood Triconomy™ (CUT Model™). This model is meant to ensure that logs are put to their highest and best use to sequester as much carbon as possible. SBN Detroit spoke with Paul Hickman, Urban Ashes founder, CEO, and principal designer, and Tiffany Giacobazzi, Ann Arbor urban forestry & natural resources planning coordinator, to find out more. Q: What is Urban Ashes, and how did this program with Ann Arbor come to be? Hickman: I will provide a little background here for context because Urban Ashes has gone through a bit of an evolution. Initially, it started with a major career change for me by taking a job in California with one of the first sustainable lumber companies in the world. I eventually moved back to Michigan and started the original Urban Wood Project with three others in the early 2000s in response to the infestation of the emerald ash borer to help utilize trees beyond mulch, which was the most common response for the disposal of ash trees then and now. That was the impetus, but it immediately expanded to include all fallen urban trees and into Urban Ashes. Urban Ashes grew to sell to over 250 retail partners across 43 states over ten years, repurposing hundreds of tons of lumber into picture frames, furniture, and other items. From the beginning, our focus was also to work with formerly incarcerated individuals as a labor force, and that remains a strong component of the Urban Ashes business model today. Over time, the lack of wraparound (support) services (for workers) took a heavy toll, and eventually, we shifted entirely, shut down our manufacturing, and decided we needed to focus on building the infrastructure to develop the supply chain more thoroughly and consistently and grow the markets for utilization as well as develop the critically needed wraparound services needed for our target labor pool. So, we partnered with NextCycle Michigan and went through their FLOWS track which led to an EGLE grant. Then came the vision for the Circular UrbanWood Triconomy™. We were fortunate enough to work with the University of Michigan graduate students for 18 months to validate the viability of the model, and beginning in 2021, we have piloted it with the city of Ann Arbor. Q: How and why did the city of Ann Arbor come to change the way it processes trees and work with Urban Ashes? Giacobazzi: As the city has shifted with its sustainability goals and A2Zero plan, we started to look at how we could divert more out of the waste stream. We wanted to achieve the highest best use for materials that come out of the urban forest. So, we connected with Urban Ashes and partnered on this project. I have support all up and down the line from city administration which is really important. We are fundamentally changing the way we are dealing with urban wood and our urban forest so we must all be in support of this new process. Q: What does this program involve? Hickman: For years, all fallen urban trees in Ann Arbor (as is the case with most cities) were used for mulch or firewood. Accordingly, Ann Arbor loses approximately 1,111 metric tons of carbon every year and we were able to show them that by implementing the CUT Model™, we can capture upwards of 700 metric tons of that 1,111 and keep it in use and sequestered. The process involves cutting the trees down in a way that holds the most carbon and is best suited for the mills. The process also involves setting up the mills, facilities, contracts, and tracking methods, and then implementing everything. So, that is the work that Urban Ashes has been doing. Q: What do you, as the Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Planner, hope to achieve through Circular UrbanWood Triconomy™? Giacobazzi: I want to make sure the trees and lumber that have to come out in Ann Arbor go to the best use possible. I want it diverted from the waste stream and we are looking to lock up the carbon for as long as possible. We put such time and effort and thought into the development, care, and maintenance of our urban forest, it seems that the next natural best step is to complete the lifecycle of these trees and extend the usefulness of the trees once they die or have to come out. Q: In what ways has the lumber from Ann Arbor been repurposed? Hickman: Typically, the lumber goes to mills to be cut into slabs or dimensional lumber, kiln-dried, and processed, and then is sold as raw lumber to manufacturing or local woodworkers. The wood is then used for items such as furniture, frames, ceiling/wall cladding, flooring, household trim packages, decorative pieces, and more. Q: What other cities are you working with? Hickman: We are farthest along with Ann Arbor. But we are also working with Grand Rapids and are in talks with Detroit, Lansing, Traverse City, and several others outside of Michigan. In terms of businesses, we are working with a startup through Centrepolis called Lily Pad Labs out of Holland, Mich., to provide urban black locust for decking and tables for their autonomous electric boats. We are also working in conjunction with Centrepolis to help bring Daika Wood’s game-changing urban wood waste processes and products to Michigan. These are a few of the things we have happening at the moment. Q; In what ways do you think Urban
