LANSING – State Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today announced that the House has passed a plan that will give Grand Rapids $200,000 to initiate a program that will provide rebates and interest-free loans to residents who invest in energy efficiency improvements. The plan is now awaiting action in the Senate.
"Increasing energy efficiency will be a tremendous boon for our community," Dean said. "Energy efficiency means more money in our residents' pockets. It means more jobs now for contractors and home energy auditors, which will pump more money into our economy. And it means reducing our dependence on foreign oil and keeping our air clean and healthy."
The funding, which will be administered by the Michigan Strategic Fund, will provide Grand Rapids with:
- $25,000 to administer the program.
- $25,000 for equipment.
- $150,000 to provide low-interest and interest-free loans for residential energy efficiency improvements; rebates for residential energy audits; and rebates for residential energy efficiency improvements.
Dean noted that Grand Rapids has been a national leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency. In November, the Grand Rapids City Commission authorized the largest single purchase of Michigan-based renewable energy by enrolling as the largest participant in Consumers Energy's Green Generation program. The program will provide Grand Rapids with 20 percent of its electric supply from Michigan-based renewable sources by the end of 2008.
"The residents and elected officials of Grand Rapids have made it clear that they are tired of the status quo when it comes to energy," Dean said. "Energy efficiency will generate good-paying jobs, reduce costs to consumers and make us more self-sufficient. This plan will help us power our city into the future."