Alternative energy in metro Detroit not so alternative in 2011

Go Green! In 2011 metro Detroit municipalities increasingly saw a win-win in implementing energy-saving practices and policies. Businesses, schools and homeowners got in on the alternative energy game too, in large part inspired by grants, tax breaks and incentives offered by the federal and state governments and DTE. The result: saving money and possibly the earth.

It was a year that saw the landscape changed by green rooftops, solar installations, wind farms, geothermal-powered facilities, electric car charging stations and in Auburn Hills, for example, a plan to assist builders in building alternative-energy-based homes and businesses of the future.

Auburn Hills prepares for wave of electric vehicles
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0721elecvehs0217.aspx

Auburn Hills makes energy efficiency a priority
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0303auburnhillsenergy0199.aspx

Rochester Fire Department goes solar-powered
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/rfdsolarpanels0195.aspx

DTE adds 16 new electric car-charging stations to growing network
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0804dteplugins0219.aspx

Macomb County breaks 100-mark in schools state certified as green
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0414macgreenschools0205.aspx

State grants enable dozens of Michigan schools to turn up solar and wind power
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0218energyworks0197.aspx

The story at Ferndale library is about going green
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0303ferndalelibraryaward0199.aspx

Metro Detroit's institutes of greener learning
http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/greenuniversities0207.aspx

Oakland County Airport first LEED-certified terminal in Michigan
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0818oakcoairport0221.aspx

Propane vehicles deliver for Wright & Fillippis
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0428propanefleet0207.aspx
Interest in DTE's Solar Currents program so hot it's reached its goal
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0512solarcurrents0209.aspx

Downtown Royal Oak parking meters go solar
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/solarmeters0193.aspx

Sign of the times: Southgate hotel goes solar
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0421greenhotel0206.aspx


By Kim North Shine