Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) were authorized by the federal government for states, territories, large local governments and tribal governments to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The $3.2 billion total was divided among eligible jurisdictions according to population and states were directed to sub-allocate a portion of their allocation to large municipalities with populations of 100,000 or more. These counties, municipalities or tribes can issue bonds up to their sub-allocation cap amount or waive and return any or all of the allocation to the State. (Source: Energy Programs Coalition Paper, 12/2014)
Michigan Treasury is working with the Michigan Agency for Energy to ensure that the state’s Qualified Energy Bond (QECB) allocation is used to its fullest potential. A 2015 original recipients’ survey determined that some communities that had received a sub-allocation five years ago do not expect to use this financing tool. For communities where this is the case, our goal is to maximize the use of these allocations via voluntary waivers, which would enable the State or another entity designated by the communities to access these allocations for QECB qualified projects.
Nearly two dozen Michigan communities have been honored in the statewide Michigan Green Communities Challenge for their sustainability efforts in projects ranging from green building technology to LED streetlight conversions.
Twenty-two communities were recognized for clean energy and environmental leadership by the Michigan Green Communities Network (MGC), which aims to connect community leaders through training, education, and communications. The MGC is a partnership of the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Association of Counties, and Michigan Townships Association. The original Challenge launched in 2009 and emphasized energy efficiency projects. In 2016, MGC network members, with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation, revised and relaunched the MGC Challenge. Program benefits include creating a roadmap for sustainability initiatives; establishing benchmarks for your community’s progress toward sustainability initiatives; and the motivation of comparing and competing with other Michigan communities. The Challenge competition will happen annually, with the next round expected to open in early 2017.
“We were really excited to relaunch the Green Communities Challenge this year with some new incentives and with the support of the C.S. Mott Foundation,” said Dave Norwood, co-chair of the MGC Steering Committee. “The response was fantastic and the communities being honored have a lot to be proud of. We’re impressed with the innovative sustainability work and projects happening in Michigan’s communities.”
As part of the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, participating local governments were awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze “medals” reflecting community leadership in areas such as clean energy programs and sustainability planning. New to this year’s program is the availability of $3,000 in awards to participating programs. Communities involved in the program will have the chance to win one of three $1,000 randomly drawn honors. The MGC $1,000 winners randomly selected were the City of Allegan, the City of Berkley, and the Village of Milford.
Below is a breakdown of the recipients by level.
Gold medalists:
City of Ann Arbor: Installed over 40kW of solar at a public housing site.
City of Dearborn: Participates in Wayne County’s property assessed clean energy program (PACE) and established a facilities fund to finance energy projects.
Delhi Charter Township: In 2016, began a partnership with a commercial waste hauler to provide free curbside recycling to residents.
Silver medalists:
Charter Township of Meridian: Helps maintain a healthy environment through wetlands protection, a Land Preservation Ordinance, Greenspace Protection Plan, and Pathway millage.
City of Battle Creek: During the spring of 2016, in an effort to make the City’s curbside recycling program more robust, 96 gallon, single-steam recycling carts were delivered to each residential home for weekly pick up! During the first three weeks of the program, our contractor (Waste Management) collected 85 TONS more recycling than the same time last year. This has resulted in an 80-percent participation rate so far.
City of Farmington Hills: Has a well-established sustainability program that has helped them reach their energy conservation and environmental goals through education, outreach, and their current participation in the Georgetown University Energy Prize.
City of Novi: Sustainable and green building technologies incorporated into all city facilities.
Bronze medalists:
City of Allegan: Recently created a Neighborhood Awareness Advisory Board to raise awareness of energy conservation in the neighborhoods.
City of Berkley: Adopted a policy requiring a new street tree to be planted whenever a new house is built.
City of Coldwater: Completed their streetlight replacement project, converting over 1,300 mercury vapor and high pressure sodium fixtures to highly efficient LEDs.
City of Grand Blanc: Converted 70 streetlights to LEDs in 2016 to increase energy efficiency.
City of Ithaca: Joined the Michigan Main Street program in 2016 to promote placemaking downtown.
City of Petoskey: Updated its Sidewalk Plan to a more comprehensive Non-Motorized Facilities Plan in 2015.
Muskegon County: Offers free household hazardous waste, electronics, and tire recycling for all county residents two times per year.
Village of Milford: Installed a riparian garden as a pilot project to help reestablish a natural shoreline along the Huron River.
Village of Quincy: Tracks energy use in all Village facilities to identify energy-saving opportunities.
Honorable Mention:
Charter Township of Kalamazoo
City of Bangor
City of Kalamazoo
Grand Haven Charter Township
Monroe County
Village of Vanderbilt
View the MGC website, http://migreencommunities.com/ for more details.
Source: GLREA
Click here to be introduced to the GLREA
