On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, the third seminar in the Oakland County Sustainable Community seminar series was held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., in the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center – East Oakland Room.
The Energy 101 seminar was at full capacity with community members interested in energy and renewables, current and proposed policy, financing options and incentives for customers and local government as well as innovations at the local government level.
The series was presented by Tom Stanton, Manager of the Renewable Energy Section, Michigan Public Service Commission. Per Stanton progress is being made in Michigan, traditional energy use is declining. We need to breakdown barriers and educating the community is the way to do this.
The Bureau of Energy Systems promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development to Michigan residents, businesses and public institutions.
Several topics were covered at this event including:
- Wind and Solar Grants and current programs available in Michigan
- Biomass programs
- Clean Energy Coalition, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting clean energy technologies
- Michigan Suburbs Alliance unites and strengthens metropolitan Detroit’s mature suburbs by elevating regional cooperation, reforming public policies and innovating redevelopment strategies.
- The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
- The Michigan Saves program helps Michigan consumers, businesses, institutions and residents afford energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. Michigan Saves will finance the installation of energy measures with no upfront cost to utility customers
- Renewable Energy Financing, Incentives, New Market Tax Credits Plante Moran
- Net Metering is a method of encouraging customers to use renewable energy technologies. Net metering is currently offered in more than 35 states
Table top discussions and group remarks closed out the session.
The next Oakland County Sustainable Community seminar will be The Sustainable Sites Initiative and will take place on September 7, 2010, 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m., at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center – East Oakland Room.
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Source: GreeningDetroit.com
Author: Sally Bellanger
