THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGION IS BECOMING SOLAR READY
June 6, 2013
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SOLAR READY
Ann Arbor, Mich., June 6, 2013 - The City of Midland, the City of Saginaw, Thomas Township, and Williams Charter Township are on their way to becoming the first Solar-Ready Communities in Michigan. Working together on a project led by Clean Energy Coalition, these municipalities have agreed to streamline local permitting, planning, and zoning processes related to solar installations.
As part of an effort that will ultimately expand statewide, representatives from these Great Lakes Bay Region municipalities "are working pro-actively and collaboratively to examine solar installations and what that means for our communities," said Williams Charter Township Supervisor Paul Wasek. "By doing so, we are getting ahead of the curve and coordinating our efforts."
City and township officials gathered in Saginaw on April 24th and again in Auburn on May 29th to explore ways to best prepare for increased adoption of solar technology. These working sessions included a review of national best practices for solar permitting and discussions on adopting a region-wide approach. Representatives also agreed to support a Solar-Ready Community resolution that commits each municipality to supporting the expansion of solar installations and ongoing evaluation of this issue.
"I am impressed at the level of collaboration among the jurisdictions to accomplish this work," said Heather Seyfarth, program supervisor at Clean Energy Coalition. "The Bay Region's dedication to exploring this issue together along with the new approaches to solar and materials that they develop will serve as a model for the rest of the state."
"This is an important move for our region," said Magen M. Samyn, president and CEO of Bay Future, Inc. "Not only is it vital for our local communities to be prepared for emerging technologies, but also solar is especially important to our region. We consider planning for solar to be an economically strategic step for our municipalities."
All three of the Great Lakes Bay Region's economic development corporations - Bay Future, Inc., Saginaw Future, Inc. and Midland Tomorrow - have played key support roles in launching Renewable Energy Tools Program, a statewide project funded by a grant from the Michigan Energy Office. Other supporters of the effort include the Dow Chemical Company, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Association of Planning, and Detroit JATC Electrical Industry Training Center.
With the ultimate goal of lowering the installed cost per watt of renewable energy in Michigan, the Renewable Energy Tools Program is examining statewide permitting and zoning practices and developing a robust package of municipal tools, including renewable energy guidebooks and fact sheets that address solar installations, urban wind turbines, urban bioenergy, and electric vehicle charging stations.
By late 2013, Clean Energy Coalition and project partners will launch a multi-year outreach campaign to raise awareness across all Michigan municipalities about the availability of these resources, to encourage participation as Solar-Ready Communities, and to encourage adoption of streamlined processes. For more information on the Renewable Energy Tools Program, visit cec-mi.org/MIrenewable. Join the Twitter conversation about renewable energy in Michigan by searching for #MIrenewable.
About Clean Energy Coalition Clean Energy Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting clean energy technologies as a way to create healthier, energy-independent communities. Since 2005, Clean Energy Coalition has implemented, managed, and evaluated cost-effective, market transformation projects and programs in the building and transportation sectors valued at more than $60 million. The organization was recognized for its environmental leadership with a 2012 Michigan Green Leader Award from Detroit Free Press and has been named one of Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Sustainable Companies? for 2012. For information about Clean Energy Coalition, visit cec-mi.org. Follow the organization on Facebook at facebook.com/CleanEnergyCoalition and Twitter at twitter.com/CEC_MI. #
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WALL Says:
On July 01, 2013
at 10:43 AM
VERY SATISFYING TO SEE DOW CHEMICAL AS PART OF THIS GROUPING FOR SOLAR INTRODUCTION . THEIR MOTTO "LIFE IS FRAGILE" IS MORE REPRESENTATIONAL THAN EVER BEFORE .. SINCERELY
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WALLWE Says:
On July 08, 2013
at 07:48 AM
LOWERING THE COST IS ACOMPASSIONATE GOAL. ACTUALLY BEING ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF OUR FUTURE SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE TRI-CITIES REGEON. AS A VERY OLD SUBSCRIBER OF MOTHER EARTH NEWS AND RAECHEL CARLSONS SILENT SPRING. I SAY WELCOME ABOARD..
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Magen Samyn |
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