Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office to expand

metromode, 8/6/2009

The Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office is picking up steam this summer, with plans to become supercharged by this fall.

So far six communities have joined the program run by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, including Ferndale, Lincoln Park, Roseville, Grosse Pointe Woods, Madison Heights, and Farmington Hills. Another two or three dozen municipalities have it on their agendas for late this summer or early fall.

"We expect that by the end of the month we'll have 15-20," says Brittany Galisdorfer, program director for the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office.

There are no upfront costs for smaller communities. The program will help participating municipalities fill out grant applications and go after projects that will make them more sustainable.

One of the early favorites is switching street lights from normal incandescent bulbs to LEDs. It's a tactic Ann Arbor and Pontiac have successfully deployed to capture significant electricity and maintenance savings. Farmington Hills wants to buy a foreclosed home and turn it into an eco-friendly showcase for local residents.

Source: Brittany Galisdorfer, program director for the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office
Writer: Jon Zemke

Farmington , Ferndale , Grosse Pointe