Kalamazoo Times

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced a new program intended to facilitate projects that cultivate sustainable energy will provide three endeavors with up to $5 million.

“State government will keep leading by example and investing in clean, renewable energy to protect Michigan’s clean air and water and save taxpayer dollars,” Whitmer said. “The bipartisan Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund will help us upgrade state buildings to cut energy costs, and we will continue finding ways to put Michiganders first as we work together to protect our Great Lakes, create good-paying clean energy jobs, and shore up our energy independence.

The funds will come from the Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund (EERF), which is part of the governor’s fiscal year 2022 budget that was approved by the Michigan Legislature, according to a release from the governor’s office.

The release stated that the three projects include the State Warehouse Complex Solar Array, a solar array development that can ignite 400,000 kilowatt hours of electricity that will fully power the State Facilities Administration Building. The Lansing Board of Water and Light is on board the project.

The second program is the General Services Building LED & Advance Lighting Controls Upgrade with the state partnering with participating in the Graybar’s Smart Lighting Turn Key Program, which promotes LED lighting.

The third project will be the St. Louis Correctional Facility Green Prison Initiative Energy Performance Project, which will make the St. Louis Correctional Complex a more energy efficient institution. 

"The MI Healthy Climate Plan has the potential to help speed up our state’s shift to clean energy in a way that helps everyone,” said Derrell Slaughter of the Michigan Clean Energy Advocate at Natural Resources Defense Council and Secretary of the Council on Climate Solutions. “The implementation of the plan will increase renewable energy in Michigan, create more access for clean energy and clean transportation, and get Michigan off coal while lowering costs for working families and protecting our natural resources and public health. We must now work to implement these recommendations to create a healthier Michigan. The time is now to tackle the climate crisis head on and this plan shows us how the Great Lakes State can do its part."

According to the governor’s office, Whitmer spearheaded the funding effort to include the proposal in the budget in order to enhance renewable projects at Michigan facilities with projects receiving funds after the development has been fulfilled. The goal is to create a long-term platform that will mitigate the state’s carbon footprint.

“Since our founding over 110 years ago along the shores of Lake Michigan in Benton Harbor, improving life at home has been at the heart of Whirlpool Corporation,” said Ron Voglewede, director of sustainability at Whirlpool Corporation and member of the Council on Climate Solutions. “Fulfilling our vision requires us to think of not only the four walls around us and the communities in which we live, but of the planet that sustains us. We are proud to work in collaboration with Gov. Whitmer and several other stakeholders to help all Michiganders have a home that can save on energy costs, to support clean energy solutions, and to help ensure that Michigan continues to lead in the transition to a low carbon economy.”