The Michigan Energy Efficiency Expo (MI EE Expo) was held on Wednesday, September 17 at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing. The MI EE Expo was co-hosted and sponsored by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) in collaboration with the Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association (MEECA) and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (MiEIBC). The Expo brought together small businesses, manufacturers, efficiency program implementers, and other energy stakeholders to highlight the economic value of energy efficiency policies to the state of Michigan and to demonstrate the business community’s support for energy efficiency.
The MI EE Expo had 45 businesses exhibit at the event, and these exhibitors included several MEEA Members as well as other Michigan based energy efficiency contractors, distributors, and manufacturers. The event was open to the public, legislators, and other policymakers. Exhibitors had a chance to tell their story and further educate these decisions makers on the opportunities and benefits of energy efficiency.
A press conference held in the Capitol rotunda was opened by Brindley Byrd, Executive Director of MEECA. Stacey Paradis, Deputy Director of MEEA, spoke on how utilities have consistently exceeded their energy savings targets since the passage of Public Act 295 of 2008. Moreover, in 2012, Michigan’s energy policies stimulated $246 million of utility investment in energy efficiency. Senator Nofs, a Republican from the 19th District and the Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee spoke on the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workgroup that he chairs. The workgroup, which was formed in the spring of 2014, is examining the future of the state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. This workgroup is comprised of legislators, members of the business community and other stakeholders with the goal of developing draft legislative language for the fall. The press conference also included MEEA’s Vice Chair Lauren Casentini, who spoke on the importance of the energy efficiency industry within the state and how it has expanded CLEAResult’s business.
For information on the exhibitors that participated in the Michigan EE Expo, information on businesses that presented at the press conference, or information on Michigan policy in general, please contact MEEA’s Senior Policy Associate Jessica Collingsworth at jcollingsworth@mwalliance.org or at (312) 784-7247.
Source: MEEA
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