The Ann Arbor Energy Commission and Mayor John Hieftje have set some serious goals for the city: the reduction of municipal energy usage by 30% by 2010 and a reduction of 20% from the entire city by 2015. Commission member David Wright says the commission aims to "reduce the amount of money the city spends and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
The Energy Commission was founded in the wake of the energy crisis in the late 1970s, and Wright says, "Since then, it’s been very active, working to find ways to reduce energy usage. There’s no longer a supply crisis, but there is a climate crisis."
To reach the goals they have set, the commission is attempting to purchase green wind and solar energy for the city’s electricity. Ann Arbor already operates two hydropower facilities that produce electricity sold to DTE’s grid, but the commission is looking for more green sources.
The city’s energy coordinator, David Konkle, is working to have a solar water heater installed at the fire station and expanding the usage of thermal and solar heating at local pools.
As for individual homes and businesses, there is the Ann Arbor Go Solar program, which purchases solar equipment in bulk and passes the savings onto the end-user. Wright also notes that federal tax incentives have been passed for solar roofs and says the commission’s target is "5,000 Solar Roofs."
Currently, 5% of the city’s bus fleet runs on biodiesel. Wright says they hope to increase that number as well as to develop a transportation plan that promotes alternatives to vehicle ridership. Both commuter rail lines in the works —Detroit to Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor to Howell/Lansing— are supported by the commission for that reason.
Source: David Wright, Ann Arbor Energy Commission
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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