December 2, 2009 - The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) and the Michigan Municipal League (League) today welcome the addition of two new partners to the Michigan Green Communities Challenge.
The Michigan Green Communities Challenge is a statewide initiative challenging Michigan communities to go green. The challenge already has the involvement of nearly 70 communities and the addition of two new partners today promises even more growth.
This Challenge is designed to provide communities with tools to incorporate energy efficiency and conservation strategies. It includes a step by step process designed to ensure that all Michigan communities have the tools necessary to incorporate energy efficiency and conservation strategies.
"All Michigan communities are eligible to complete the Basic Challenge," said DELEG Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss, who also serves as the state's Chief Energy Officer. "The Basic Challenge is a commitment community leaders can make to adopt policies and programs of energy efficiency and conservation. The City of Charlevoix is the first city to pass a resolution committing to these programs."
Currently, a total of 67 cities, villages, townships and counties have passed a local resolution of support to participate in the program. The Michigan Townships Association and the Michigan Association of Counties have begun to actively promote the "Challenge" to their membership. This expansion of the program continues a unique collaboration effort between state government and organizations representing local units of government.
"Michigan's natural resources and their preservation are key to our economic future. MAC looks forward to working with our local community organizations to make this initiative a huge success," said Tim McGuire, Executive Director, Michigan Association of Counties.
Daniel P. Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the League, added, "We are excited to be among the leaders in providing a roadmap for communities of all sizes to ‘go green.' To-date, nearly 70 communities have voluntarily enrolled in the Challenge. That fact alone is an indication that Michigan communities recognize the importance of adopting energy efficiency measures. The Challenge provides the tools and template for Michigan communities to adopt and follow."
"We see the Michigan Green Communities Challenge as a way for our members to become directly involved in taking action at the local level to help their communities become more energy efficient and to preserve our natural resources. MTA looks forward to encouraging townships, whether urban or rural, to participate in this very worthwhile endeavor," said Michigan Townships Association Executive Director Larry Merrill.
Pruss said investments in energy efficiency represent a major opportunity for Michigan to create jobs, save money, and reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels. In fact, energy efficiency creates more jobs per dollar than fuel-based solutions. By replacing traditional fossil fuel energy, Michigan's energy efficiency program will save Michigan over $3 billion in electricity costs over the next 20 years.
Michigan stands to receive approximately $1 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy. DELEG is responsible for deployment of these funds to support three of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's five key priorities for investing Michigan's share of economic recovery dollars:
- Creating new jobs to jumpstart Michigan's economy;
- Training Michigan workers and educating Michigan students for good jobs here today and new jobs created tomorrow;
- Investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to create jobs, save money, and reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels.
"Our priority is to align our state energy strategy with the most effective and efficient use of Recovery Act funds so that all of our work is supported," said Pruss. "And, our energy strategy targets five main areas: workforce, advanced energy storage, energy efficiency, large scale wind, and solar."
According to Pruss, green technology will be the single biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century. "We're working to turn Michigan into the leading green state in the nation, training our citizens and community leaders to do the work needed to grow these emerging industries," he said.
For more information about the MI Green Communities Challenge, visit http://www.mml.org/resources/educenter/green_challenge.html.
Green Communities Challenge Contacts
Michigan Municipal League
Ms. Sue Jeffers
SJeffers@mml.org
Michigan Townships Association
Mr. Tom Frazier
tom@michigantownships.org
Michigan Association of Counties
Ms. Kami Smith
kamismith@micounties.org
Bureau of Energy Systems (DELEG)
Mr. Jeff Spencer
spencerj3@michigan.gov.
For more information about DELEG, please visit www.michigan.gov/deleg. Follow DELEG at http://twitter.com/MIDELEGor visit the "DELEG" page on Facebook and Become a Fan.
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