SEPTEMBER 24, 2002 - Director Noelle A. Clark announced today that the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Energy Office has awarded a $25,000 grant to Michigan State University to launch a Rebuild Michigan program.  The university will focus on promoting energy efficiency in their residence halls, which house approximately 15,000 students and account for a significant portion of their annual energy consumption. 

The grant will be used to develop an energy action plan and to organize a coalition that will work toward achieving university energy goals.  One goal of the project will be to identify behaviors and management practices which may be contributing to energy waste and to suggest alternatives to decrease energy usage.  The university will also identify energy efficiency opportunities and install improvements that will yield the highest energy and cost savings.

“This project will educate students and the entire MSU community about changing energy consumption practices and the benefits that can be achieved from increased energy efficiency,” said Clark.   “Energy efficient buildings not only save energy and money, they are also more comfortable for occupants and have better indoor air quality.”

Rebuild America programs have been launched throughout the United States to address the billions of dollars lost each year due to inefficient and outdated building energy technologies.  Rebuild Michigan strives to increase energy savings and reduce energy demand and emissions through increased energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.  The program receives its primary funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. 

For additional information, please contact the State program coordinator-Kelly Launder at 517.241.6223 or Michigan State University project coordinators- David Lawrence and Tim Mrozowski at 517.353.0781.  Information on Rebuild Michigan is also available on the CIS Energy Office website here and then click on the “Commercial and Institutional” section.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.