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?

PlanetIncrease in temperature of planet — sometimes called global warming,but more accurately climate change

What do we know?

ResourcesEarth’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 realityWe 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 ora 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 gasesCarbon footprintClimate changeClimate actionSustainability

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

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 Challengewww.energystar.gov

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 actionAssign responsibilityTake audit/baseline measurementsMake your planChoose projects and goals for your

communityMeasure 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

http://greenchallenge.mml.org

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 planeManufacture and distribution of products

you buyTurning on lights in houseDriving your car

Your Carbon Footprint

Home energy use accounts for about ¼ of your carbon footprintHome 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 Calculatorwww.carbonfootprint.com

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

Perform Home Energy Audit

DTEGo to DTE Energy – Home Energy Audit

Offers4 options to conduct Home Energy Audit,

including free online audit using MyEnergy Analyzer

Perform Home Energy Audit

Consumers EnergyGo 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 CoolingHome SealingLightingWater UsageOffice EquipmentElectronicsAppliances

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 situationIt saves moneyEnsures that the next generations will be able to

enjoy the Earth without depleting its resources

Energy Star @ Home

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

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ HOME

ENERGY STAR @ 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