Energy Better Communities. Better Michigan.

Going Green  What is the “Go Green” movement?  Why is it such a hot topic?

Going Green  How does “Going Green” affect –  Earth?  USA?  Michigan?  your community?  you?

What do we know?  Let’s start with what we know...

What do we know? Planet Increase in temperature of planet — sometimes called global warming, but more accurately climate change

What do we know? Resources Earth’s resources are being used faster than they can be replenished. We continue to leave the planet in a poorer condition for our future generations than what we inherited.

What do we know? Economic reality We cannot afford to spend $$$ for energy usage at the same rate as we have in the past

Climate Change Climate change is one of today’s most important issues affecting the world and our country

Climate Change  The warmest years ever recorded have all occurred in the past twelve years  1998—the warmest  2001—the second warmest

Climate Change  Why is this happening?  Primarily due to a steady rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Limited Resources We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

What’s Next?  Conditions are ripe for –  a perfect storm or  a perfect opportunity

Basic Terms and Concepts  Let’s spend just a few moments talking about the Basic Terms and Concepts

What are the Basic Terms?  Greenhouse effect and gases  Carbon footprint  Climate change  Climate action  Sustainability

Greenhouse Effect  Greenhouse effect is natural and good  Solar radiation is absorbed by the earth’s surface, converted into heat, and emitted into the atmosphere as infrared radiation

Greenhouse Effect  Some of the radiation escapes into outer space; however, some is absorbed and re-emitted BACK towards the earth’s surface by greenhouse gases

Greenhouse Effect

 Climate change (global warming) is the result of “enhanced” greenhouse effect  Human activities have tipped the delicate balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, intensifying the natural greenhouse effect

Greenhouse Gases  The primary greenhouse gases (GHG) in the Earth’s atmosphere are  water vapor  carbon dioxide  methane  nitrous oxide  ozone

Municipal GHG  Energy use for electricity, heating and transportation is far and away the largest contributor to municipal GHG  Energy 91%  Waste 1%  Transportation 8%

Carbon Footprint  Carbon footprint measures the carbon dioxide emissions caused by activities for:  Country  Municipality  Individual

Carbon Footprint  Carbon footprint is usually measured in pounds or tons of CO2 per year.

Environmental Footprint  There are other measures used — including environmental footprint

Why “Go Green”?  Climate protection measures Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) Reduce energy consumption  But why? Because it directly promotes Sustainability — the long-term environmental, social and economic vitality in our communities

Sustainability  Planning and action necessary to create long-term environmental, social, and economic vitality in communities  The triple-bottom line

Climate Action Local governments are leading the way — ahead of the national government — to find solutions and take steps to combat climate change

Climate Action  What are local governments doing?  Local governments are not only addressing sustainable issues affecting municipal operations but also affecting their residents

Climate Action From a municipal standpoint: Forward-thinking local governments are addressing climate and energy concerns by integrating energy efficiency, clean energy supply, transportation, land use, and waste management

Climate Action From a residential standpoint: Local governments are providing incentives to reduce air pollutants, lower energy costs, support local economic development and improve public health and quality of life

Energy Star Challenge Governmental units and other commercial and industrial energy consumers can take Energy Star Challenge to improve energy efficiency in their buildings by 10%

Energy Star Challenge

What about Michigan? Has any program been developed specifically for Michigan communities? YES!

Michigan Green Communities Challenge  Michigan local units of government can take the Michigan Green Communities Challenge  Program by which local units of government can increase energy efficiency, promote energy conservation, become more sustainable and reduce cost

Michigan Green Communities Challenge  Developed by the Michigan Municipal League in collaboration with the state Bureau of Energy Systems  Online template available for all Michigan communities

Michigan Green Communities Challenge Steps  Council action  Assign responsibility  Take audit/baseline measurements  Make your plan  Choose projects and goals for your community  Measure progress

Michigan Green Communities Challenge  Central resource for Michigan communities for energy efficiency and conservation practices  Central resource for Michigan communities for information re: EECBG projects

Michigan Green Communities Challenge   If your community has not yet enrolled, encourage your municipal officials to do so

What Can You Do?  Just as your community can take an assessment of its energy usage and commit to be more energy efficient and sustainable – So can you!

Your Personal Carbon Footprint  Flying in a plane  Manufacture and distribution of products you buy  Turning on lights in house  Driving your car

Your Carbon Footprint  Home energy use accounts for about ¼ of your carbon footprint  Home energy use - 27%  Food and drink - 5%  Recreation - 14%  Services - 15%  Purchase - 20%  Transportation - 19%

Average Household Energy Use  Heating and cooling - 45%  Water heater - 11%  Refrigerator - 6%  Dishwasher - 2%  Clothes washer & dryer - 10%  Computer and monitor - 2%  TV, VCR, DVD - 2%  Lighting - 7%  Other (stoves, MWs, small appliances) - 15%

Carbon Footprint Calculator

Home Energy Rating  Get a Michigan Home Energy Rating  Home energy ratings indicate the energy efficiency of a new or existing home on a scale from 500 to 0, where a lower number indicates greater energy efficiency (Go to mich.gov)

Perform Home Energy Audit  A home energy audit is the first step to determine how much energy your house uses and what improvements you should make to save money and energy  Energy Star  DTE  Consumers  Others

What is Energy Star?  Labeling program developed by US EPA designed to identify and promote energy efficient products to reduce GHG  Take the Energy Star Pledge—we can save more than $18 billion in annual energy costs and prevent GHG equivalent to emissions of more than 18 million cars

Energy Star Pledge

Perform Home Energy Audit  Energy Star provides helpful information on conducting a home audit including DIY audit  What’s Your Score What’s Your Score

Perform Home Energy Audit  DTE  Go to DTE Energy – Home Energy Audit Offers  4 options to conduct Home Energy Audit, including free online audit using MyEnergy Analyzer

Perform Home Energy Audit  Consumers Energy  Go to Consumers Energy – Home Energy Analyzer

Energy Star  Actions that you can take in your house!

Energy Star Highlights  A programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 per year  Changing to energy-efficient lighting can save you up to $70 per year

Energy Star Highlights  Proper installation and use of Energy Star qualified heating and cooling equipment can cut your energy bill by nearly $200 per year  Sealing air leaks and adding insulation with guidance from ENERGY STAR can reduce your overall home energy bill by up to 10 percent, or about $200

Energy Star Categories  Heating and Cooling  Home Sealing  Lighting  Water Usage  Office Equipment  Electronics  Appliances

Heating and Cooling Tips  Make sure all air registers or floor vents are clear of furniture  Make sure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed  HVAC—Replace air filter at least every 3 months  If your furnace is more than 15 years old, consider replacing

Heating and Cooling Tips  If your a/c unit is more than 12 years old, consider replacing with more efficient unit  Properly ventilate attic  Install Energy Star qualified ventilation fans to control moisture in bathrooms. Make sure fan duct leads to outdoors to prevent moisture problems

Home Sealing Tips  Cover and seal all holes that lead from plumbing, ductwork, or electrical outlets  Seal gaps and holes with caulk, foam board and spray foam. Never use duct tape—it is not long-lasting

Home Sealing Tips  In a typical house, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly connected ducts. Result: inefficient HVAC system, high utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable  A properly sealed “envelope” or “shell” of your house can save up 10% of total annual energy bills

Home Sealing Tips  If replacing windows, choose Energy Star qualified models designed for your area  Seal holes around outlets with an inexpensive outlet gasket

Lighting Tips  Replace light bulbs with Energy Star qualified bulbs, including compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL)

Water Usage Tips  A 10-minute shower uses less water than a full tub  Use 2.5 gallon-per-minute shower head— saving 5 gallons of water over typical bath and saving $145/year in electricity

Energy Star  Buy Energy Star products

Sustainability  For your community and for you...  Going Green is a win-win situation  It saves money  Ensures that the next generations will be able to enjoy the Earth without depleting its resources

Energy Home  Now check this out on your computer and have some fun!

ENERGY HOME

Home Performance Best way is through an integrated "whole- house" approach that looks at your house as a system. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort at home, while helping to protect the environment.

Michigan Saves Stay tuned!! Residential program designed to offer low- cost loans for energy improvements

Conclusion As your local officials, we are willing to help you in any way that we can to become more energy efficient and help reduce your costs. It’s our way to partner with you as green communities and residents.

Slide Title This power point has been prepared by the Michigan Municipal League in partial fulfillment of a Technical Assistance Grant awarded by and funds received from the state of Michigan under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Michigan Economic Recovery