FERNDALE, Mich. – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined state officials and community volunteers to launch BetterBuildings for Michigan, a program that will create more than 2,000 clean energy sector jobs over the next three years and provide more affordable options for energy efficiency improvements for home and business owners in the state.
BetterBuildings for Michigan will create a sustainable energy efficiency market in Michigan through community outreach and education, workforce training and by providing tools for lenders to make investment options available for energy efficiency improvements in residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings. It is supported by a three-year, $30 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“BetterBuildings for Michigan is a win-win for our state as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and home energy bills, while putting people to work in the process,” said Gov. Granholm. “The Recovery Act has enabled us to accelerate our efforts to meet and exceed our clean energy goals, a critical part of our plan to diversify and grow Michigan’s economy and create jobs.”
BetterBuildings for Michigan consists of two programs: a $143 million residential program that will deliver energy efficiency improvements in targeted communities statewide and a $46.8 million commercial program that will focus on the city of Detroit.
“Michigan’s BetterBuildings program embodies the spirit of the Recovery Act – creating thousands of clean energy jobs and expanding the energy efficiency market throughout the state,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “This program will serve as a model for other states in how to develop sustainable business models for energy efficiency upgrades that educate families about the benefits of saving energy and provide resources to help them improve the energy use of their homes.”
The residential program will help deliver large-scale energy efficiency improvements to communities with support from the Michigan Saves Home Loan Program, which provides easy and affordable financing options for energy efficiency.
“With BetterBuildings for Michigan helping to strengthening our existing Michigan Saves financing program, Michigan is ensured long-term growth in its energy efficiency market,” said Jeff Williams, program director of Michigan Saves and BetterBuildings for Michigan principal investigator. “Both of these programs are critical to help make energy efficiency an affordable option for Michigan home and business owners.”
The residential program targets four regions across the state, including the city of Detroit, the suburbs of southeast Michigan, the city of Grand Rapids and other communities still to be determined, or non-entitlement communities. To implement the residential program, partners, supporters and community members “sweep,” or canvass up to 420 homes in targeted neighborhoods to market the program and share its financing incentives with homeowners. Homeowners will then have affordable options presented to them for energy assessments and basic home weatherization and efficiency measures, up to whole-home retrofits. Participating homeowners can expect to save hundreds on their utility bills, as well as improving the comfort and value of their home. The residential program will offer energy efficiency improvements to more than 11,340 homes statewide.
“The direct support provided to residents is the most exciting part of this program,” said Conan Smith, executive director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance and Washtenaw County Commissioner. “Through BetterBuildings for Michigan, community members make their homes and their communities healthier and more sustainable places to live.”
The commercial program will concentrate on three centers along Woodward Corridor in downtown Detroit. Public and private owners of commercial real estate will have the choice of three financial packages with financing incentives and loan options. It will provide energy efficiency options to more than 131 commercial, public and industrial buildings across Michigan.
Over three years, BetterBuildings for Michigan is expected to create more than 2,063 energy efficiency certified construction professionals, reduce energy consumption by 1.2 trillion British thermal units (TBTUs), and prevent 19.6 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year in Michigan.
“By providing access to workforce training options, BetterBuildings for Michigan will not only create thousands of green jobs for our state, it will kick-start an energy efficiency professional workforce Michigan can utilize for years to come,” said Andrew S. Levin, acting director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.
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BetterBuildings for Michigan uses a community approach to deliver energy efficiency improvements for homes and businesses by providing access to incentives and affordable loans. The program is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and developed by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG); Michigan Saves; the City of Grand Rapids; the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit; and the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office.
Contact: Phil Lewis – 517-927-9310