ESCANABA — The next meeting of the U.P. Energy Task Force is scheduled for Nov. 13 in Escanaba and will include discussions about propane pricing and customer protections.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the 952 Conference Room of the Joseph Heirman University Center at Bay de Noc Community College, 2001 N. Lincoln Road.

There will be a listening session in the afternoon to gather comments from audience members on energy issues in the Upper Peninsula.

All public comments, which can also be submitted via email to EGLE-UPEnergy@Michigan.gov, will aid the U.P. Energy Task Force in completing its responsibilities as outlined in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order:

– Assess the U.P.’s overall energy needs and how they are being met.

– Formulate alternative solutions for meeting the U.P.’s energy needs, with a focus on security, reliability, affordability, and environmental soundness. This includes, but is not limited to, alternative means to supply the energy sources used by U.P. residents, and alternatives to those energy sources.

– Identify and evaluate potential changes that could occur to energy supply and distribution in the U.P.; the economic, environmental, and other impacts of such changes; and alternatives for meeting the U.P.’s energy needs due to such changes.

The Task Force must complete its final report in two stages. It must submit a propane plan to the governor by March 31, focused on alternative means to supply propane to the U.P. Then, by March 31, 2021, it is required to submit the remainder of its report.

People who need special assistance to participate in November’s meeting should contact Kimber Frantz at 517-284-5035 in advance of the meeting.