DECEMBER 5, 2000 - Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services Director Kathleen Wilbur

announced today that CIS’ Energy Office has entered into a grant agreement in the amount of $120,000 with the Michigan Independent Power Producers Association (MIPPA) to implement the "Michigan Green Power Cooperative Project" over a two-year time period.

MIPPA consists of independent electric power generators who hold power purchase agreements with a Michigan utility and/or own generation that is capable of generating electricity for their own use or sale in Michigan's competitive generation market.

"Green power is electricity that is produced from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind instead of coal or oil," Wilbur explained. "Generating electricity from renewable resources can help reduce the amount of harmful pollutants released into the atmosphere and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. This $120,000 grant indicates the State of Michigan’s commitment to utilizing Green Power and alternative fuels."

MIPPA will create a Green Power Cooperative to increase the availability and accessibility of green electricity for customers in the State of Michigan through consumer aggregation and market-based systems to stimulate the production and availability of green power for Michigan consumers.

The Green Power Co-op will aggregate green power producers and customers, create access to capital for green power generators, provide training for Power Marketers to sell green power and establish an Internet site for information on green power in Michigan. For more information, contact the project director, Donald W. Johns, at (517) 676-3974 or the State grant manager, John Trieloff at (517) 241-6224.

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