The Press article was written before the vote, but I just watched it on TV- and the vote was unanimous. Much praise heaped on Governor Granholm for her leadership on this issue, Mayor Heartwell for setting this goal, Robert Dean for his work before he left for Lansing, the people at Consumers for their help... and on down the line. City Commissioners are very happy to be doing this.
Mayor George Heartwell said the cost of buying "green" power will be offset by conservation measures the city utilities have taken in the past year.
"Nobody is going to see their water or sewer bill increase because we are purchasing green power," Heartwell said. The city's water and sewer system serves about 67,000 customers in Grand Rapids and 11 suburbs.
This was done with the idea of urging on our legislators to adopt a renewable portfolio standard. If the second biggest city in Michigan can do it- certainly the state can, too.
Heartwell hopes the deal with Consumers Energy will set an example for state legislators, who have resisted efforts to buy 15 percent of the state's energy from renewable sources.
Grand Rapids worked out a deal with Consumers to make this economically feasible, and found ways to conserve money to offset the cost of this program.
The city negotiated a discount rate that will allow it to buy 9,234 "blocks" of green energy a month for $1.50 per block.
The city's discount rate was approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission earlier this month for large customers who agree to purchase more than 8,000 "blocks" per month.
We now will be Consumers biggest customer for Green Generation. 11,200 customers have signed up, you can too. Follow that link. Where does most of this energy come from?
Ninety-five percent of Consumers Energy's green energy comes from "biomass" generators that are fueled by methane gases from landfills, Pietryga said. The remainder comes from wind power sources.
Yes, the trash. This is energy that is produced right here in the state.
WTG Grand Rapids. So proud of my (not so) little town.