City of Grand
Rapids and City of Kalamazoo Sign Contracts for Renewable
Energy Program to Power Their Cities
JACKSON, Mich.,
Sept. 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are setting a new standard in
sustainability by joining the Consumers Energy Renewable Energy
Program (REP). This partnership represents a significant step
toward achieving their ambitious climate goals and advancing their
commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Renewable
Energy Program enables customers to match 100% of their energy use
with cost-effective wind and solar power. This customer-powered
clean energy effort lowers costs and helps protect the
planet.
"Consumers Energy appreciates the partnership from our two largest
West Michigan municipalities by
committing to this program," said Lauren
Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer
experience. "The leadership shown by the Cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo highlights the importance of our
Clean Energy Plan and helps us to continue to build out more
renewable energy resources like solar and wind."
This partnership with Consumers Energy not only supports
Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids in meeting their sustainability
goals but also serves as a model for other businesses and
municipalities striving to embrace renewable energy and achieve
sustainability goals. The program already includes 3 dozen
participants including General Motors, 7/11, Walmart and the State
of Michigan. In 2025, the program will expand giving
residential and small business customers an option to sign up for
cost-effective, utility-scale renewable energy projects.
"By joining the Renewable Energy Program, Kalamazoo is taking a bold step forward in our
mission to enhance environmental sustainability and reduce our
carbon footprint," said Kalamazoo
Mayor David Anderson. "This
initiative reflects our commitment to reduce carbon emissions to
net-zero by 2050, working towards a greener future for
all."
Similarly, Grand Rapids is
embracing this opportunity to make substantial progress toward its
sustainability objectives. "Our participation in the Renewable
Energy Program aligns perfectly with Grand Rapids' vision of a cleaner, more
sustainable community," said Mayor Rosalynn
Bliss of Grand Rapids.
"This commitment underscores our dedication to environmental
stewardship and supports our goal of powering all municipal
operations with renewable energy by 2025 and beyond."
Consumers Energy is Michigan's
largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity
to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower
Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan calls for
eliminating coal as an energy source in 2025, achieving net-zero
carbon emissions and meeting 90% of customers' energy needs through
clean sources, including wind and solar.
For more information on the City of
Grand Rapids' Green Grand Rapids plan, learn more
here.
For more information on the City of Kalamazoo Sustainability
plan, learn more here.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to
ConsumersEnergy.com.
Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy
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SOURCE Consumers Energy
