Plug loads account for approximately 20 percent of energy consumption in a large office building. So, it follows that aggressive plug load management can boost a company's bottom line, especially during the air-conditioning season as office equipment adds significant heat to the office environment.
The use of power strips is perhaps the easiest and least-expensive way in which to manage plug loads. Have a written policy asking employees to turn off equipment at the power strip at night and on weekends, and assign an individual to periodically check on employee compliance.
Utilize Purchasing and Information Technology Department practices to assist in energy management. For example, purchasing policy should include estimated energy consumption costs in determining the most efficient office machines, and the IT Department can schedule backups to be performed during the lunch hour so computers can be turned off at night.
The newly formed Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment recently released their Organization Chart.
Please see the link below for details.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/currentorg_112205_7.pdf
Rebecca A. Humphries was confirmed as Director of the newly created Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) on March 3, 2010. She has held the post since January 17, 2010 when the DNRE was first created by Governor Granholm under Executive Order 2009-45. The DNRE combines the powers and functions of the former Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality.
Humphries began her career with the Department of Natural Resources in 1978, rising to the rank of Director by 2004. She is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife.
Under Humphries' leadership, the DNRE will implement an ecosystem-based strategy for resource management designed to both protect and enhance the state's natural resources, while facilitating and encouraging economic growth. The DNRE employs approximately 2850, and has an annual budget of $700 million.
These recent examples demonstrate the diversity of projects that may qualify for Michigan's low-interest pollution prevention loan program:
- A dry cleaner purchased a wet-cleaning system and an air board press.
- A graphics company purchased a computer-to-plate imaging system.
- A farm upgraded their manure management equipment and systems.
- A plastic's manufacturer purchased a closed-loop cooling water system.
- A trucking company purchased a closed-loop wash water system.
- A Dentist purchased a new digital radiograph machine.
- A golf course purchased a new computer-controlled irrigation system.
- A golf course upgraded its electrical service and purchased rechargeable carts.
- A plating company upgraded their tank systems.
- A farm purchased phosphorus recycling equipment.
- An automobile repair shop purchased a solvent distillation unit.
- A metal oxide processing facility upgraded their dust fines separation equipment and duct work.
August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government sectors throughout North America. August Mack has offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information on August Mack's environmental, health and safety services, visit www.augustmack.com or call 800.579.0770.
If you are age 50 or older, take advantage of "catch-up" contributions: Up to $5,500 for 401(k) accounts and $1,000 for traditional and Roth IRA accounts.
Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average retirement age is 62 and that 47 percent of retirees leave the workplace earlier than anticipated?
In your 20's and 30's, it is important to start investing in savings and retirement accounts. Set a goal of saving at least 10 percent of your gross income.
As you enter your 30's and 40's, make certain that you are maximizing your contributions to your retirement accounts. If you are making the maximum contributions to your company's 401(k) plan, consider also making contributions to a Roth IRA.
As you enter your 50's, it is important to manage the amount of risk in your retirement portfolio to preserve your investment. Remember that "forced" retirement occurs sooner than about 1/2 of all retirees plan. Continue to maximize your retirement contributions and take advantage of "catch-up" contributions to the fullest extent that you are able.
By working with your Human Resources Department and with the assistance of professional investment experts, you'll be as ready as possible when you eventually reach retirement.
It is important to review your retirement accounts at least annually, or in the event of any major life event such as marriage, divorce, and/or the birth of a child, etc.
Your retirement accounts are very likely to be your most valuable asset so manage them carefully.
Be careful to manage risk and volatility in your retirement accounts. Generally speaking, the closer you are to retirement age, the more conservative your account allocations should be.
Stocks may produce greater rates of return, but are subject to market fluctuations.
Holdings comprised of bonds and cash are more conservative and can potentially help balance some of the potential volatility of stocks in your portfolio.
Boost your retirement savings by maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k) plans. If your employer offers a matching contribution, contribute at least enough to get the full matching benefit - otherwise, you're leaving "free money" on the table.
Project applications are reviewed by the state within 30 days of receipt. Notification of eligibility is typically made within 45 days. Once approved, the loan recipient must enter into a loan agreement within 90 days, and must initiate the project within 180 days after the loan documents are signed. Upon completion of the project, the loan recipient has 90 days to report to the state the pollution prevention results achieved.
August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government sectors throughout North America. August Mack has offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information on August Mack's environmental, health and safety services, visit www.augustmack.com or call 800.579.0770.
Tip # 4 - Save more!
Once you've mastered budget tracking, it's time to move on to the next step: analyzing your expenditures and setting realistic goals to save a greater portion of your income.
"Pay yourself first" is an adage that is often cited. If you fund your retirement (and / or savings) accounts first, you'll have less money, and be less tempted, to spend your money frivolously.
Did you know?
- There are no deadlines for submitting a potential project as the program is ongoing similar to the state's highly successful Brownfield program.
- The DNRE does not charge any fees.
- And fees charged by the lender-of-choice may be rolled into the loan.
August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government sectors throughout North America. August Mack has offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information on August Mack's environmental, health and safety services, visit www.augustmack.com or call 800.579.0770.
Tip # 3 - Have a budget.
If you don't have a household budget, now is the time to prepare one. List all of your income and track ALL of your expenses. It is helpful to buy a small notebook and record your expenditures for one month. It can be quite enlightening to learn how much you actually spend on "little things" - it really is amazing how quickly those afternoon coffee breaks can add up to significant money!
If you're a budget pro, calculate how much pre-tax money you'll have to earn (or how many hours you'll have to work) to pay for a month's worth of afternoon coffee breaks.
The goal here is to be able to maximize your savings potential. In the short-term, it may be difficult to dramatically change our income, but we can quickly control our spending and savings habits.
Tip # 2 - Make a Plan.
Your HR Professional or Plan Administrator will likely have numerous resources to assist you in planning for your retirement goals. You may also want to consult with members of your family, or even contact financial professionals. At some point in the planning process, you'll likely begin to become confused and / or receive conflicting guidance. When if doubt, refer back to Tip # 1.
The Environmental Consulting industry is composed primarily of engineers and scientists who are capable of tackling just about any challenge, yet throughout my career, I have often watched these same professionals struggle to effectively manage the financial aspects of retirement.
Over the next several posts, I will provide a series of "quick-hit" tips to help you more effectively manage your retirement.
Tip # 1 - Get started!
It's never too early (or too late) to start funding your retirement account. Contact your HR professional today to get started. Don't worry that you don't know all the details of retirement planning. No plan is perfect, but for today, it is enough to simply get started.
St. Clair Shores officials are expected to take steps next month to have certain neighborhoods added to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPAs) list of high-priority areas due to the presence of PCB contamination. They hope to have the sites officially added to the National Priority List for cleanups by September, and therefore be eligible for Superfund cleanup funding.
Both the local community, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, currently have little money for cleanup efforts. So, the goal of the effort is to be able to potentially tap into federal dollars to speed the cleanup process.
But homeowners are nervous. How will having an EPA listed site in their backyard affect the value of their homes? Especially considering the depressed nature of the Michigan economy.
Proponents of the idea argue that the federal government has the budget to undertake the work and that the actual areas of contamination are small. Detractors of the idea counter by arguing that once on the EPA Superfund list, the cleanup process will be slow and there is no reason to risk further decreasing already depressed property values in the upscale community.
It will be fascinating to watch as the story unfolds and it poses an interesting question: Would you want your neighborhood on the National Priority List?
August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government sectors throughout North America. August Mack has offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information on August Mack's environmental, health and safety services, visit www.augustmack.com or call 800.579.0770.
March 4, 2010 - Representatives of the newly formed Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment indicated today that the state's ongoing structural budget deficit, combined with decreasing tax revenues due to poor economic conditions, and the lack of new cleanup bond initiatives are limiting their ability to complete environmental cleanup activities at abandoned ("orphan") contaminated sites throughout the state.
There are more than 4,000 orphan sites in Michigan. These sites impair neighboring property values and pose a risk to human health and the environment.
August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government sectors throughout North America. August Mack has offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information on August Mack's environmental, health and safety services, visit www.augustmack.com or call 800.579.0770.
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