Consumers Cuts Energy Use For 13 Michigan Nonprofits
Thirteen non-profit agencies throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula are "powered up" as a result of receiving $116,000 in energy efficiency incentives from Consumers Energy. The incentives were used for 29 energy efficiency projects involving 27 facilities in 19 cities.
Agencies receiving incentives included Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, United Way agencies, YMCA organizations, the Flint Housing Commission, World Mission and several food banks.
By having highly-efficient lighting installed, the agencies will save a combined total of more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours annually. That's resulted in an estimated 26 percent reduction in their electric usage, as well as savings on their power bill.
"Our energy efficiency program is focused on helping customers get greater value for their energy dollar," said Terry Mierzwa, Consumers Energy's executive manager of marketing, energy efficiency and research.
Energy efficiency projects for the agencies primarily included modifications of site-wide lighting systems by adding light bulbs that require less electricity. Other projects included optimizing heating systems through boiler tune-ups and thermostat upgrades.
In one example, the Jackson Salvation Army will experience an estimated savings each year of $3,400, as a result of energy efficiency incentives from Consumers Energy, according to John L. Mallett, Major Corps Officer of The Salvation Army in Jackson.
"This will conserve valuable funds so that we are able to better meet the needs of families in Jackson County," said Major Mallett. "The total cost of our site-wide lighting project was $14,000. We received a $4,300 rebate check from Consumers Energy. This is very significant and we appreciate the assistance we received from this program."
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
More at www.consumersenergy.com.
Nonprofits receiving aid under the program were as follows:
Cherry Street Health Services, Grand Rapids; Flint Housing Commission; Goodwill Industries in Caledonia, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Ionia, Jenison, Kalamazoo and Wyoming; Habitat for Humanity in Grand Rapids, Greenville and Midland; the Michigan Food Bank in Battle Creek and Comstock Park; the Noah Project in Muskegon; the North End Soup Kitchen in Flint; the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency in Lake City; Salvation Army locations in Jackson and Grand Rapids; the St. Vincent Home for Children in Saginaw; United Way locations in Alma and Jackson; World Mission in Grand Rapids, and YMCA locations in Jackson, Kalamazoo and Portage.
(c) 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All rights reserved.
