Michigan Governor Wins Energy Efficiency Award
The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance has honored Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, for implementing innovative energy and sustainability policies that saved money for the state and for Michigan householders.
The Alliance announced its 2005 winners of the Inspiring Efficiency Awards on Monday. The awards recognize innovators for their work in developing and applying energy efficient technologies, programs and policy initiatives.
The Alliance calculates that Governor Granholm’s policies have reduced the state of Michigan’s energy consumption by $400,000 in the first year, mandated usage of fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels in state fleets, and improved Michigan’s Uniform Energy Code which will result in estimated individual homeowner savings of $374 per year in reduced energy bills.
“This year’s award winners clearly show that substantial progress is being made to increase energy efficiency and promote wise consumption practices,” said Alecia Ward, Executive Director of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
“We have an excellent cross section of winners in government, utilities, business and the non-profit arena who demonstrate how measurable results can be achieved.”
The Alliance also offers an Education Award, which went to the University of Illinois Chicago Energy Resources Center for their collaborative work in the Midwest Combined Heat and Power Initiative to promote and foster combined heat and power technologies and applications throughout the Midwest.
The Alliance’s 2005 Impact Award goes to MidAmerican Design Assistance for Commercial Buildings, which promotes the optimal integration of energy efficient design into new buildings and renovation projects. To date, the program has enrolled projects totaling 18 million square feet, with a $3.2 million annual savings in energy costs.
The Alliance is giving this year’s Innovation Award to the Center for Technology Transfer, a non-profit organization created by the Focus on Energy program to increase the number of Wisconsin companies that market emerging technologies to improve the energy efficiency of the state’s business groups.
The Alliance handed this year’s Marketing Award to Interstate Power and Light which developed and implemented an agricultural Demand Side Management program to help agricultural customers use energy more efficiently and improve their productivity and profitability.
