OCTOBER 06, 1998 - Cutting school energy costs and promoting the benefits of wind and solar power are the goals of four state energy grants, announced Governor John Engler.

Beneficiaries of the grants include:

* $10,000 to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association of Lansing, to build a wind and solar power display for the 1999 Great Lakes Renewable Energy Fair, and other events as well.
* $5,000 to Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation, to build a solar electric and wind power demonstration at the Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath Township. It will light and ventilate an outlying public restroom at an observation tower overlooking a prairie restoration, ponds and bog/lake.
* $4,950 to Michigan School Business Officials, to help five school districts initiate School Environmental Action Teams. Composed of maintenance staff, teachers and students, the Teams will seek ways to help their schools reduce energy costs.
* $4,868 to Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council, for a web site, demonstrations, and presentations to inform consumers about "green" electric choices, such as solar and wind.

"Providing grants for projects like these that promote conserving energy and using our natural resources most efficiently will benefit not only current Michigan residents, but future generations,"said Engler.

The grants were awarded by the Energy Resources Division of the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS).

"These projects are excellent examples of how modest grants effectively can be used to reach a very broad audience," said CIS Director Kathleen Wilbur.

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