Clean Energy Project:
Net Zero COMMUNITIES
Through our Net Zero Communities work, your support empowers our Solar on Schools program which aims to help schools set renewable energy goals, implement solar on their facilities, and adopt renewable energy into their curriculum. Through this program, we are educating the next generation about clean energy and climate change while also reducing actual carbon emissions from schools. Additionally, we empower local governments with policy and technical advice to support their transition toward a clean energy economy.
A “Net Zero Community” can be achieved in a variety of sectors including energy production, transportation, and agriculture, through a combination of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adopting clean energy sources. Many communities have set carbon neutrality targets, with the aim of achieving this goal by 2050 or earlier, including the State of Michigan.
The Solar on Schools program helps to address the climate crisis and builds awareness about proactive steps that local communities can pursue while educating the next generation of climate leaders. Switching to solar energy and committing to 100% renewable energy can benefit schools in several ways. It can help to save money on energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and improve the environment, provide educational opportunities for students, improve local air quality, and engage the community around environmental issues. By making a commitment to renewable energy, schools can demonstrate leadership in sustainable practices and create a culture of environmental awareness among students, staff, and the wider community. We are working with several school districts pursuing 100% renewable energy, including Petoskey Public School and Pellston Public Schools!
In addition, with Groundwork’s support, Traverse City became the first city in Michigan to commit to 100% clean energy for its electrical supply, with a goal of making the transition by 2040. Petoskey has also committed to 100% clean electricity and chose a completion date of 2035.
Groundwork was an important partner in helping both Traverse City and Petoskey to see feasible ways of reaching their 100% goals, which helped give city commissioners in both towns the confidence they needed to vote for this important and visionary goal. Groundwork is providing ongoing support to Petoskey and Traverse City as these communities pursue their climate goals through pursuing building electrification policies, community solar projects, and advocacy for integrating energy efficiency measures and renewable energy production into city facilities.
For more information about our Net Zero Communities program, please contact Groundwork Climate and Clean Energy Specialist Liv Rollinger.
Take Action!
- Contact Groundwork for advice and resources on how to convince local decision makers.
- Speak at public meetings, with clear purpose and solid data to promote your initiative locally.
- Team up with others passionate about community solar and building electrification—advocacy is not a solo endeavor!
"Our new solar array will help Traverse City meet its 100% clean energy goal. This wouldn’t happen without Groundwork."
— Tim Werner, Traverse City Commissioner
WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?
Net Zero COMMUNITIES News
Ric Evans, Efficiency Pro, Seeks Reelection to GLE Board
When Ric Evans won a Board of Directors seat at Great Lakes Energy three years ago, it marked the first time a pro-renewables candidate joined the co-op’s board. Now he’s seeking re-election. We asked him about his initial stint as a GLE board member, the lessons he’s learned, and what he would focus on in another term.
MLUI joins groups to urge action on pipeline
The Michigan Land Use Institute is pleased to sign on to this letter to remind the governor and attorney general of the important legal authority they hold on behalf of Michigan’s citizens to protect our public trust in the Great Lakes. The State of Michigan retains full legal authority over all activities that occur in the waters and bottomlands of the Great Lakes-and requires complete transparency, disclosure, and accountability from Enbridge regarding the pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac.
Little reassurance at symposium on Straits pipeline
On June 24, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council hosted the Northern Michigan Pipeline Symposium in Petoskey, bringing together state and national groups involved-or concerned-about the aging oil pipelines running through the Mackinac Straits. The event provided a forum for regulators and Enbridge, the company that owns the pipeline, to reassure the public about the threat of a spill. Unfortunately, most people left just as concerned about the risk as when they arrived.