While the installation of renewable energy systems is rising, Michigan lags behind many other states, including those with comparable access to renewable energy sources.
Building on the momentum of our recent work in the Great Lakes Bay Region, Clean Energy Coalition is working to remove barriers preventing widespread adoption of renewable energy throughout Michigan – specifically inconsistent permitting and zoning policies and practices in municipalities across the state. These inefficiencies and time delays increase the soft costs (expenses that are separate from the renewable energy equipment itself), making installations cost-prohibitive.
Renewable energy represents a significant opportunity for Michigan’s municipalities. According to project lead Heather Seyfarth, “Jurisdictions can encourage local renewable installations and help spur economic activity by simplifying permitting, zoning, and inspection processes. We believe that the use of consistent tools and standards throughout Michigan’s municipalities will have a significant impact, further reducing the soft costs of installations and advancing economic activity throughout the state.”
The project will focus on developing a robust package of tools for municipalities, including renewable energy guidebooks and fact sheets. Later, a multi-year outreach campaign will raise awareness among municipalities about the availability of these resources and encourage adoption.
Clean Energy Coalition will manage the project with key support from partners including:
- Bay Future, Midland Tomorrow, and Saginaw Future of the Great Lakes Bay Economic Development Partnership
- The Dow Chemical Company
- Michigan Municipal League
- Michigan Townships Association
- Michigan Association of Planning
- Western Michigan University
- Detroit JATC Electrical Industry Training Center
This project is funded by a $100,000 grant from Michigan Energy Office.
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Source: Clean Energy Coalition
