Three ways for public to comment on dam task force recommendations
Daily News staff
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Homes are seen along Wixom Lake Tuesday, May 19 after an evacuation order the night before for residents of Sanford and Wixom Lakes, warning of imminent dam failure. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)(Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)
The public will have an opportunity during an online meeting this Wednesday to provide feedback on draft recommendations before the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force that address gaps in the state’s regulatory oversight of more than 1,000 dams in Michigan.
The 86 preliminary recommendations are posted on the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force website for the public to review prior to the meeting, which begins at 9 a.m.
EGLE
The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force has scheduled it next public meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 13, to review draft recommendations regarding changes to the operation, regulation and safety of dams under the state’s jurisdiction.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and the public can join by following the online meeting link posted to the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force’s webpage. Those who would like to attend but do not have Internet access can join the meeting by phone. Dial 646-558-8656 and then enter the webinar ID 934 0323 4874 and passcode 691524.
The Task Force has been evaluating recommendations made by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) in the independent group’s review of the state’s Dam Safety Program under the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The Task Force assigned the ASDSO Peer Review Report recommendations to six workgroups: legislation and authority; compliance, enforcement and emergency response; permitting
The Michigan Public Service Commission today took note of a remarkable year in 2020 as it worked to maintain Michiganders’ access to safe, reliable and affordable energy and telecommunications amid a worldwide pandemic that upended lives and shook the economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic response dominated the MPSC’s work in 2020, as the MPSC Staff transitioned to working remotely to ensure that the agency’s mission of energy and telecommunications regulation continued uninterrupted.
Here’s a top 10 list of the MPSC’s highlights from 2020:
The COVID-19 pandemic
The MPSC staff was among the first state agencies to fully transition to remote working, but the agency didn’t miss a beat in tackling critical issues during the pandemic. The MPSC worked with energy utilities and other State of Michigan agencies to help expand protections and assistance for vulnerable customers. Efforts included ensuring that more than 3,500 disconnected households
EGLE
The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force has scheduled its next public meeting for Thursday, Dec. 17, to discuss draft recommendations it is developing surrounding the Dam Safety Program under the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as well as the operation, regulation and safety of state-regulated dams.
The Task Force has been evaluating recommendations made by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) in the independent group’s review of the state’s Dam Safety Program. The Task Force assigned the ASDSO Peer Review Report recommendations to six workgroups: legislation and authority; compliance, enforcement and emergency response; permitting and design review; reevaluations, inspections and surveillance monitoring; program management/funding and budgeting; and outreach and awareness/safety and security at dams.