News from the Network
- June Conference Call: Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability
- Annual Conference Presentation Request for Proposals
- Spotlight your Community in the Michigan Green Communities Annual Report
- Notes Available from June Call about Upcoming Events
Resources
- Technical Assistance on Energy Efficiency and Policy and Implementation
- Funding Opportunity for Green Economic Development
- New Report on Improving Solar Permitting Processes
- New Report on Economic Impact of Efficiency Products in MI
- New Report on Extreme Storms in the Midwest
- New Report on Sustainable Funding for Local Energy Efficiency Initiatives
- Emerging Sustainability Strategies in America’s Counties
Events
- Ann Arbor Mayor's Green Fair
- Mission Zero Fest 2012
- Introduction to the State Electronics Challenge Webinar
- Farmington Hills EcoFest 2012
- Michigan Energy Fair
- Propane: Clean and Cost-Effective Transportation for West Michigan
Community News
- Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability Launches
- Wyandotte Unveils State's Largest Municipally-Owned Solar Energy Project
- Farmers Markets Expand Services as Demand for Local Produce Grows
- 13 Michigan Local Governments Will Host River Cleanups
- Muskegon County Receives Sustainability Awards
- TC Saves Program Gives Homeowners, Contractors a Foundation for Energy Efficiency
- Energy Efficient LEDs Brighten Farmington Hills City Campus, Ice Arena
June Conference Call: Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability
Wednesday, June 20
10 am Eastern
Call in: 734-794-6099
Bridge: 43720
In late 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission a $3 million grant to support the Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability, a collaborative effort involving partners from Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties. This regional planning grant supports initiatives that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, environmental and infrastructure investments. During this webinar, Harmony Gmazel, AICP, Land Use Planner with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, will provide an overview of the grant and the region’s emerging sustainability planning efforts.
Annual Conference Presentation Request for Proposals
The third annual Michigan Green Communities conference is scheduled for November 2, 2012, at the Michigan Municipal League’s Capital Office in Lansing. Staff and appointed officials from local government, colleges and universities, or non-profit organizations working with local government are invited to submit a proposal to present at the annual conference. Initial presentations to the entire audience will last 10 minutes. Presenters will then have the opportunity to lead break-out discussion sessions to continue a more in-depth conversation about the presentation topic. Learn more and submit a proposal.
Spotlight your Community in the Michigan Green Communities Annual Report
We’re putting together an annual report and would love to include spotlights and case studies of green projects and programs from across the state. If your community has a story or picture to share, please contact Laura Matson ( lmatson@a2gov.org).
Notes Available from June Call about Upcoming Events
Notes from the June call, which focused on upcoming events and featured Josh Kelly from the Institute for Sustainable Communities, are now available on the MGC Micheen group. View notes. Technical Assistance on Energy Efficiency and Policy and Implementation
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), in partnership with the Surdna Foundation, is offering technical assistance services over the next 12 months to local governments and other local stakeholders around the United States on energy efficiency policy and program implementation. ACEEE staff will provide research, subject matter expertise and other technical assistance resources for priority projects. Technical Assistance products may range from structured conference calls for identifying strategies on particular issues, to memos, fact sheets, spreadsheet analyses, or presentations to a stakeholder audience. For more information, contact Laura ( lmatson@a2gov.org, 734-794-6430 x43675).
Funding Opportunity for Green Economic Development
The U.S. Economic Development Authority’s Environmentally-Sustainable Development investment priority promotes job creation and economic prosperity through green projects (e.g., renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reuse/recycling/restoration/preservation economic development projects). The current funding opportunity applies to public works and economic development facilities and economic adjustment assistance. Learn more.
New Report on Improving Solar Permitting Processes
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) released Sharing Success - Emerging Approaches to Efficient Rooftop Solar Permitting, a report that outlines innovative strategies to help increase the efficiency of local government permitting procedures for rooftop solar systems. Learn more.
New Report on Economic Impact of Efficiency Products in MI
The Energy Innovation Business Council released a new report “Economic Impact of Residential/Commercial Energy Efficient Products in Michigan,” which begins to quantify the economic impact of energy efficient product manufacturing activity within Michigan. Learn more.
New Report on Extreme Storms in the Midwest
The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and NRDC released a new report titled “Doubled Trouble: More Midwestern Extreme Storms,” which uses new analysis of precipitation records. The report documents that rain storms with more than three inches in a day have doubled over the last 50 years in the Midwest. Learn more.
New Report on Sustainable Funding for Local Energy Efficiency Initiatives
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a new report that describes local funding options for energy efficiency initiatives including utility partnerships; licensing, service, or waste fees; energy or carbon taxes; systems benefit funds; bonds; and options to capture the value created by avoided energy costs to create self-sustaining funds through revolving loan funds or other mechanisms. Additional items discussed include leadership and management practices that have made the establishment and continuation of these funding mechanisms viable. Learn more.
Emerging Sustainability Strategies in America’s Counties
The National Association of Counties has released a new quick-reference resource on the emerging sustainability strategies being implemented in America’s counties. With the economic challenges county governments area facing in 2012, sustainability efforts are emerging that improve the environment, but at the same time, increase efficiency and economic development efforts. Learn more.
Ann Arbor Mayor's Green Fair
Friday, June 8, 6-9 p.m.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
During the annual Green Fair, Downtown Main Street will be open to pedestrians for free entertainment, food, and over 120 exhibits with environmental information, hands-on activities for youth, Clean Energy Expo, Green Commute Options, BikeFest, WasteKnot Business Partners, walking tours, and more. Learn more.
Mission Zero Fest 2012
Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10
Ann Arbor, Michigan
From home energy retrofits to homegrown tomatoes, Mission Zero Fest celebrates local, organic solutions to complex global problems. This festival includes speakers, workshops, home tours, music, food, and more to highlight low-impact living in a fun and festive atmosphere. Learn more.
Introduction to the State Electronics Challenge Webinar
Thursday, June 14, 3-4 p.m.
Learn how to save money and decrease the environmental footprint of your computer equipment through participation in the State Electronics Challenge. The Challenge is a free program that provides support to state, tribal, regional, and local governments for life cycle stewardship of computer equipment. Learn more.
Farmington Hills EcoFest 2012
Saturday, June 16, 12-3 p.m.
Farmington Hills, MI
The City of Farmington Hills is hosting EcoFest 2012 at the City Hall campus, located at 31555 Eleven Mile Road. The free “eco-friendly” event will feature family fun including an urban nature hike, a reptile show, and craft projects, plus displays and information on environmental awareness, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Learn more.
Michigan Energy Fair
Friday-Sunday, June 22-24
Luddington, MI
The Michigan Energy Fair aims to provide those in the sustainable energy industry an opportunity to network with one another while also educating the public. The fair combines fun, with local food, workshops, engaging speakers, music, and an educational and career building component where you can learn how to prepare for a career or identify current career opportunities in renewable energy fields which align with the skill sets you currently have. Learn more.
Propane: Clean and Cost-Effective Transportation for West Michigan
Thursday, June 28
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Grand Rapids, MI
Also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane is a domestically produced, well-established, clean-burning fuel. This workshop will address all aspects of propane, including: the business case for fleet conversion, fuel system and engine availability, and building the infrastructure. Learn more. Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability Launches
With a new $3 million Housing and Urban Development (HUD) planning grant in hand, the “Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability” is setting out to deliver nine distinct projects to the Lansing region over the next three years. According to Sue Pigg of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, the fiduciary agent for the project, more than 40 organizations have committed to supporting the effort. Read more.
Wyandotte Unveils State's Largest Municipally-Owned Solar Energy Project
Wyandotte’s newly revealed solar installation includes 884 solar photovoltaic modules, most of which are located atop the roof of the city’s water settling basin building. A smaller “garden” is located next to the municipal services facility near the north end of Bishop Park. The total capacity includes a 212.16 kilowatt system that generates the equivalent power supply of 50 average-sized houses. Read more.
Farmers Markets Expand Services as Demand for Local Produce Grows
The demand for fresh, local produce has boosted a statewide uptick in the number of Michigan farmers markets. And a state grant program aims at ensuring low-income communities don’t miss out on such opportunities. Read more.
13 Michigan Local Governments Will Host River Cleanups
The DEQ and the Great Lakes Commission announced nearly $27,000 in grants to fund river, stream, and creek cleanup events around the state. Michigan's Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup program provides $500 to $5,000 grants to local units of government to improve Michigan's waters by cleaning up rivers, streams, and creeks. Read more.
Muskegon County Receives Sustainability Awards
Muskegon County recently received three Muskegon Area Earth Week Awards for their sustainability programs. Muskegon County Sustainability Coordinator Leslee Rohs, the County government, and the County’s recycling initiative were all awarded in different categories. Read more.
TC Saves Program Gives Homeowners, Contractors a Foundation for Energy Efficiency
Through a program called Traverse City Saves, homeowners in neighborhoods in this Northwest Michigan town can learn what it takes to make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient, and be provided with opportunities for low-interest loans to have upgrades and remodeling done to their homes. This, in turn, opens up a new market for contractors willing to perform the recommended upgrades for homeowners. Read more.
Energy Efficient LEDs Brighten Farmington Hills City Campus, Ice Arena
The next time you stop by Farmington Hills city hall or the Farmington Hills Ice Arena at night, look up and check out the new LED (Light Emitting Diode) energy saving light fixtures. The city purchased 119 of these new light fixtures through the Michigan Energy Office's Advanced Lighting Technology Demonstration (ALTD) Grant Program. Read more.
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About Michigan Green Communities
Michigan Green Communities is a network of local government and university staff in the state of Michigan that collaborate with one another, through peer learning and information sharing, to promote innovative solutions and move sustainability initiatives forward at the local, regional, and state level.
For questions or more information about MGC, contact Jamie Kidwell (jkidwell@a2gov.org), Luke Forrest (lforrest@mml.org), or Laura Matson (lmatson@a2gov.org).
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