MARQUETTE — Upper Michigan residents will have the opportunity to participate as the U.P. Energy Task Force begins its broad analysis of the Upper Peninsula’s current and future energy needs during a virtual meeting of the panel from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

The task force will allow time for public comment regarding the “challenges and potentials for energy availability in the U.P.,” a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy press release states.

The meeting agenda includes two presentations which “will provide overviews of the Upper Peninsula’s energy landscape and the area’s electric power providers,” according to the release, which will be followed by time for public comment.

Those wishing to speak to the Task Force are asked to send an email with the subject line “Request for Public Comment during May 12 meeting” to EGLE-UPEnergy@Michigan.gov. The subject line should also include the commenter’s name.

“Members of the public who attend the meeting but did not submit their names ahead of time will also be allowed to comment. Each speaker will have a three-minute time limit,” the release states.

To participate, visit the Michigan.gov/UPEnergyTaskForce and click on the Microsoft Teams meeting link. To participate by phone, call 248-509-0316 and key in conference I.D. 182 444 572# when prompted.

The U.P. Energy Task Force was created in 2019 by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to assess the U.P.’s overall energy needs and how they are currently being met; formulate alternative solutions for meeting the U.P.’s energy needs, with a focus on security, reliability, affordability and environmental soundness; 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 the alternatives for meeting the U.P.’s energy needs in response to such changes.

The efforts of the task force will include, but is not limited to, “alternative means to supply the energy sources currently used by U.P. residents, and alternatives to those energy sources,” the EGLE website states.

The Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force Committee recommendations regarding propane supply were submitted to Whitmer on April 17.

The task force must submit its report on overall U.P. energy issues and alternatives to Whitmer by March 31, 2021.