Michigan Green Communities March Update

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Network Update

Resources and News for Michigan Green Communities

March 9, 2012

Table of Contents

News from the Network

  • Michigan Green Communities Annual Survey
  • March Conference Call: Recycling 
  • New MGC Case Study: Farmington Hills Energy Performance Contract
  • Regional Workshops Resources Available
  • Resources from February Conference Call
  • Town-Gown Partnerships 

Events 

  • BALLE Conference in Grand Rapids
  • Delivering Energy Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households Webinar
  • Local Governments Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields Webinar
  • West MI Clean Cities Meeting: Compressed Natural Gas
  • Call for Presentations Growing Sustainable Communities Conference - Midwestern Region 2012

Resources

  • Funding Available for Household Drug Collection Programs
  • MDOT Training Opportunities for Supporting Walkable and Bikable Communities
  • Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure: Great Lakes Region
  • HUD Sustainable Communities Resource Center
  • EPA Document on Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations 
  • Online Resource for Energy Products Now Available
  • New White Paper Details Innovative Local Delivery of Energy Efficiency

Community News

  • Lansing to Install Micro-Turbines on City Buildings
  • Saginaw Approves Plan to Install $130,000 Solar Panel Plant
  • Energy Efficiency for Every Wyandotte Homeowner, Plus New Jobs
  • Recycling Jumps 80% in Grand Rapids with Single-Stream Carts
  • New Trade Group Predicts Michigan Boom in New Energy

News from the Network

Michigan Green Communities Annual Survey

Help us update and build a Michigan Green Communities projects database and map by sharing what projects are underway in your community. Provide feedback on how the Network can work better for you.  


The survey will be open until Friday, March 23, and should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Many thanks for your participation!


March Conference Call: Recycling

Wednesday, March 21
10 am
Call in: 734-794-6099
Bridge: 43720
The March Conference Call will focus on Recycling. Kerrin O’Brien, Executive Director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition, will share about MRC’s Product Stewardship Initiative work. Elisa Seltzer, Director of Public Works for Emmet County, will share about the County’s recycling program and opportunities for collaboration to enhance participation. Following Kerrin and Elisa’s presentations, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and share updates from their communities.

New MGC Case Study: Farmington Hills Energy Performance Contract

The City of Farmington Hills entered into a $1.6 million performance contract with an estimated payback of 12 years with Chevron Energy Solutions in 2009. The resulting efficiency upgrades and conservation measures have saved the City over $120,000 per year and improved occupant comfort. This case study covers the project timeline and implementation process, funding, and results, as well as advice for communities considering a similar project. The Case Study and Farmington Hills' RFP are available through the MichEEN group

Regional Workshops Resources Available

In February 2012 a group of graduate students from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment partnered with Regional Energy Demonstration Centers, the Municipal League and other non-profit organizations to host three Michigan Green Communities Regional Workshops. The workshops included presentations about projects underway in communities throughout Michigan. Resources from the workshops are now available.

Resources from February Conference Call

Notes and presentation slides from the February Conference Call are available in the MichEEN group. On the February call, Jennifer Lawson presented about Ann Arbor’s stormwater utility in which residents are charged based on the amount of impervious area on their property. 

Town-Gown Partnerships 

Does your community partner with a local college or university on sustainability projects? Do you have a collaboration success story to share? We’re considering holding a call on town-gown partnerships and are interested in additional perspectives. Please let Laura (lmatson@a2gov.org) know if you have a story to share. 

Events

BALLE Conference in Grand Rapids

Are you planning to attend the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) Conference in Grand Rapids on May 15-18? Let us know if you’ll be there so we can coordinate a gathering for MGC members. 

Delivering Energy Efficiency to Middle Income Single Family Households Webinar

Tuesday, March 13
3pm Eastern
Efficiency Cities Network will host a webinar on motivating middle-income homeowners to participate in energy efficiency programs. The webinar will feature the lead researcher of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory's new report on how to deliver energy efficiency to middle-income households. They've highlighted best practices from across the country, and will deliver their findings on messaging, marketing strategies, increasing access to capital, and reducing risk to participant households. We'll also be joined by one of the programs that has had the most success in reaching this market - the Center for Energy and Environment, who'll provide real examples of how best to do this work. Learn more

Local Governments Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields Webinar

Thursday, March 15, 2012, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT
The innovative development of renewable energy on brownfields and other contaminated properties is bringing a host of benefits to communities around the country, including new jobs, new sources of energy and income, and the beneficial reuse of otherwise idle properties. Because local governments are uniquely situated to encourage the growth of these projects, NALGEP has released a primer entitled Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields: A Nuts and Bolts Primer for Local Governments to aid local governments in investigating whether renewable energy development may be the right choice for brownfields in their communities. Learn more.   

West MI Clean Cities Meeting: Compressed Natural Gas

March 22, 9 a.m – 12 p.m. 
Sneden Hall, Grand Rapids Community College, 415 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 

Today, compressed natural gas (CNG) powers more than 112,000 vehicles in the United States and roughly 11.2 million vehicles worldwide. The advantages of natural gas as an alternative fuel include its domestic availability, widespread distribution infrastructure, low cost compared to petroleum-based fuel and clean-burning qualities.

Topics covered include: The Business Case for CNG (presentation by Waste Management), Natural Gas Delivery and Infrastructure (presentation by MichCon/DTE), and CNG Fuel System and Engine Technology (presentation by Valley Truck Parts and Cummins Bridgeway). At 11 a.m. there will be a CNG Fueling Station Tour (located at 500 44th St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49548). RSVP here.  

Call for Presentations Growing Sustainable Communities Conference - Midwestern Region 2012

Submit your abstracts by Friday, March 16, for consideration as a presenter at the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference - Midwestern Region 2012 

Slated for October 3, 2012 in Dubuque, Iowa, the 5th Annual Growing Sustainable Communities Conference - Midwestern Region is accepting abstracts for 25- to 45-minute oral presentations on topics related to sustainability in water, energy/buildings, transportation and community knowledge. View a list of preferred topics

Please submit a brief description of the presentation, the professional background of the presenter(s) and affiliated organization(s), PowerPoint slides (if available), and contact information. Please note if a speaking fee or expense reimbursement is required. E-mail abstracts to Sustainability@gscdubuque.com.  

Resources

Funding Available for Household Drug Collection Programs

A total of $250,000 in funding is available through the Michigan Community Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program for the development of ongoing household drug collection programs.  These programs should include strategies and projects that promote environmental stewardship and awareness through the collection and incineration of unused household medications, including controlled and non-controlled substances within Michigan communities.  Proposals are due March 30, 2012. Learn more

MDOT Training Opportunities for Supporting Walkable and Bikable Communities

Each year, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) makes available training opportunities that support the creation of walkable and bikable communities.    Training is offered to MDOT staff, county and local agency planners, engineers and other community officials.  Training is typically offered for free, but does require a certain level of commitment of staff and resources from the partnering host community. Applications are due March 23, 2012. Learn more

Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure: Great Lakes Region

American Rivers’ series of new reports highlights the economic benefits of green infrastructure strategies to better manage polluted runoff.  The “Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure” report for the Great Lakes measures the savings and benefits that green infrastructure provide to residents of Milwaukee, WI and Ann Arbor, MI. Learn more

HUD Sustainable Communities Resource Center

The Sustainable Communities Resource Center is intended to provide the public with a comprehensive set of information that supports local and regional strategies, with a particular emphasis on sustainable housing and planning. The Resource Center provides ready access to best practices, cutting edge research, new reports and resources, and spotlights innovation in the field. Learn more

EPA Document on Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations 

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program has released a final version of Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs. This guide describes how local governments can lead by example and achieve multiple benefits by improving the energy efficiency of their new, existing, and renovated facilities and their day-to-day operations. It is designed to be used by facility managers, energy and environment staff, other local government agencies, and mayors and city councils. Learn more

Online Resource for Energy Products Now Available

Clean Energy Coalition recently launched a website featuring a comprehensive range of energy-efficient products available for purchase.  Products offered through the website include indoor-use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) as well as exterior lighting. Caulking and weather-stripping material are available along with a link to a free download of an ENERGY STAR® Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating. Learn more

New White Paper Details Innovative Local Delivery of Energy Efficiency

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has released a new white paper “The Role of Local Governments and Community Organizations as Energy Efficiency Implementation Partners: A Review of Trends and Case Studies.” The white paper presents eight case studies from communities across the country and showcases how local governments and civil society can support energy efficiency efforts through enabling policies and program partnerships. Learn more

Community News


Lansing to Install Micro-Turbines on City Buildings

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero said the city was working with an Indiana manufacturer to put micro-turbines on city buildings as the first in “a series of small-scale green energy technologies” to be piloted here. The mayor’s spokesman, Randy Hannan, said it would be the first municipal installation of micro-turbines in the nation. Read more.

Saginaw Approves Plan to Install $130,000 Solar Panel

Saginaw City Council Monday agreed to pursue a $130,000 solar plant to be installed on the roof of the city’s Public Services building at 1435 S. Washington. Consumers Energy selected Saginaw and two other entities — a municipal entity in Jackson and a commercial business in Kent County — to participate in phase three of its Experimental Advanced Renewable Program. Read more.

Energy Efficiency for Every Wyandotte Homeowner, Plus New Jobs

Every home in Wyandotte is eligible for free energy inspections as well as grants, discounts and low-interest loans to residents interested in making energy efficient changes to their homes.  Just over $4 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Energy and the state of MIchigan was awarded to Wyandotte's municipal services department to carry out its "Save a Watt" program in Wyandotte. Read more

Recycling Jumps 80% in Grand Rapids with Single-Stream Carts

Recycling is up 80-percent since the City of Grand Rapids instituted a new single-stream recycling program. With single-stream people can put all kinds of stuff - glass, plastic, cardboard and paper - into a single cart (no sorting needed). The city picks up the recyclable stuff at the curb for free. Read more.

New Trade Group Predicts Michigan Boom in New Energy

Global, national and state-level demand for advanced energy storage and more biomass, solar and wind power will grow significantly by 2015, according to the Energy Innovation Business Council in Michigan. A council study points out the “new energy” sector has a potential annual average impact of $4.9 billion in Michigan, including 20,791 jobs supported and $163.7 million in local and state tax revenues. Read more

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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