------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enviro-Mich message from "Thomas Leonard" <thosjleonard@gmail.com> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mayor Heartwell issued a challenge for purchasing 20% renewable energy by the year 2008 and the City is exploring a landfill gas collection project to generate electricity in concert with its Biosolids disposal practices, along with a possible role in a new wind farm being proposed in northwest Michigan. A Renewable Energy Team meets regularly to review and discuss progress on these initiatives. GR is also partnering with AMP-Ohio to purchase the blocks of green power necessary to meet the Mayor's goal. The City will determine its GHG reduction through a third party to verify the resulting impact of these activities. The City partners with the Kent County Waste to Energy facility to produce steam from the combustion of municipal refuse for production of electricity by the local utility company and to sell to downtown businesses for heat. The City's fleet now uses biodiesel fuel, the Parking services department uses electric vehicles for travel between its various facilities, and the Police Department is experimenting with a hybrid vehicles. Multiple staff utilize the hybrid vehicle technology for their own personal vehicles that are also used for City business.
Congratulations to the City of Grand Rapids! It shares this spotlight with some great cities!
Is anybody on this list aware of the specific goals referenced for use of renewable energy? Has the City of Grand Rapids established a renewable portfolio standard?
Craig
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135--165477--,00.html
DEQ Director Congratulates Grand Rapids for Sustainability Efforts
Contact: Robert McCann (517) 241-7397 Agency: Environmental Quality
March 29, 2007
Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today congratulated the city of Grand Rapids for their Community Sustainability Partnership efforts that recently earned them a sustainability award from the United Nations University. Grand Rapids is the first city in the nation to achieve this award, and one of only thirty throughout the world, including Barcelona, Spain, and Toronto, Canada.
Grand Rapids has established goals to raise the use of renewable energy sources in the city, develop programs to harness landfill gas, and capture wind power to produce energy for municipal buildings.
"I applaud Grand Rapids' efforts to grow their community while utilizing innovative approaches to protecting our environment," said Director Chester. "I look forward to our continued partnership with the city to enhance the environment and invest in our future."
Eight companies in Grand Rapids have been designated by the DEQ as Clean Corporate Citizens, the most of any city in the state, and Grand Rapids has more LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings than any city in the United States other than Seattle.
Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.
"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"
Revised March 29, 2007 by Pat Watson
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