Green Guy Bill Queen: He’s busy creating our renewable energy future By Rick Coates Bill Queen has been on the forefront of the “going green” and renewable energy movement in Northern Michigan for the past 15 years. The Cedar resident is the program coordinator with Extended Educational Services at Northwestern Michigan College, where he oversees offerings including energy efficiency and renewable energy. He also is the coordinator of the Michigan Energy Demonstration Center. Celebrating its fifth year, the center offers information on state-of-the-art energy efficiency equipment, materials, and methods on saving money for energy bills. Northwestern Michigan College is one of eight energy demonstration centers in Michigan that provide the public with information about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building solutions. The Michigan Energy Demonstration Center is located at the M-TEC building on the Aero Park Campus. Highlights include a grid-tied solar array, geo-thermal installation, solar thermal system, portable solar lab, small wind turbine, and a building sciences lab. They have a larger wind turbine located at the University Center on Cass Road. “I grew up during the first energy crises,” said Queen. “I remember the long lines at gas stations. I really didn’t know what I wanted to do for a living but I always had an appreciation for the environment, it is something my parents passed on to me. So it is pretty cool that this is where I have landed and I feel fortunate to be able to meet up with so many like-minded people here in Northern Michigan.”
WINDING ROAD Growing up in Detroit during the energy crisis, Queen became interested in solar energy and water quality, but as he reflects, “those were not in the cards” for career pursuits at the time. “I wanted to go to a small college up north. I wanted to be by water, I was a competitive swimmer in high school,” said Queen, “NMC was the perfect fit as I loved the outdoors. I took my basics and transferred to Central Michigan majoring in business administration. Since I loved to kayak, I ended up starting a small kayaking touring company.” He eventually met his wife Kate Fairman and moved to Ann Arbor where she was going to school at U of M. Queen enrolled in U of M’s school of Natural Resources and Environment. “As a result of my time on the lakes and rivers I really began to appreciate them and wanted to do something to help keep those eco-systems viable and livable,” said Queen, “So in Ann Arbor I went to work for the Global Rivers Environmental Educational Network (GREEN). This was a K-12 program that engaged and empowered young people to not only learn about their watersheds but to find solutions to protect them.” When his wife graduated they had an opportunity to move north. “In 1995 we brought GREEN to Traverse City,” said Queen. “In 2000 I was hired by NMC and able to offer renewable energy classes through extended educational services. I had four students in that first class but we have seen the program grow with interest.”
MAKING IT HAPPEN What Queen likes is the number of business people in the community who have participated and have put what they have learned to use in their business model. “Tim Young of Food For Thought and Bobby Sutherland of Cherry Republic have taken classes and both have incorporated renewable energy initiatives into their businesses,” said Queen. “Certainly the concept of renewable energy is overwhelming and challenging. This downturn in the economy is a double-edge sword, with some who believe the costs are prohibitive to others looking at being more self-sufficient.” Queen is considered a leader in the field, serving on numerous committees and organizations. “I have been active with the energy committee of the Grand Vision group for the region. I am on the Green Build Committee for the Home Builders Association as well.” He also has worked closely with Traverse City Light & Power (TCL&P). “Certainly I have been in conversations with TCL&P on various initiatives over the years and right now I am meeting with them on solar energy,” said Queen. “The great thing about renewable locally generated energy is the money stays local.” So does Queen have an opinion on the proposed biomass program being advocated by Light & Power? “Sure, I have personal opinions on everything that involves renewable energy, but as an educator I keep those opinions to myself,” said Queen. “We have a lot of questions to ask and to answer as a community. Such as, should we put a wind farm out in Lake Michigan or on the Leelanau Peninsula? What about building a micro-nuclear plant or coal fired power plants? How about more dams and hydro-electric plants? These are all tough issues.” Queen hopes to help the community answer these and other questions on energy through the various classes he teaches or facilitates. “This is an exciting time right now, especially in Northern Michigan, there are so many people interested in these concepts. There are also several financial incentives for businesses and homeowners to consider energy alternatives,” said Queen. “The future of energy use is certainly a conversation we all need to have around the dinner table.” For additional information about the renewable energy initiatives visit www.nmc.edu/ees or call Bill Queen at 231-995-1701.
Here is a list of current offerings; Queen hopes to have the summer schedule posted online in a couple of weeks:
Energy Saturday—Hot and Cool Topics The day is designed as a series of three expert-led workshops designed to cool your summer energy bills—evaporative cooling, ventilation, shading and lighting techniques, and hot water heating. Sat., April 24, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Financing Solar: A Business Look A look at the financial tools and incentives that are now available to help finance the installation of a solar electric system. April 22 & 29, 7-9 p.m.
Wind Power for Homeowners This course will take you through the step-by-step process required to install a wind generator at your home or small business. April 20 & 27
Solar Power for Homeowners Learn about solar electric and solar thermal, and explore how much solar energy is available in our region. May 13, 6-8:30 p.m.
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