Updated information re:  'Local Energy Solutions' Workshop is provided below. The workshop has been designed for Michigan communities and sponsored by Clean Energy Coalition with support from DELEG, Michigan Municipal League, WARM Training & Michigan Energy Options.  The workshop is available to all Michigan communities with special reduced pricing for EECBG non-entitlement communities.

Tuesday, September 28 - 9am-4pm

Weber's Inn - Ann Arbor (map)

Non-entitlement municipalities (special pricing): Secure online registration is available here!

Others: Secure online registration is available here!

The EECBG program is a kick-off for many of Michigan's communities toward our long-term goal of boosting our local and regional economies through energy efficiency and conservation projects. As a part of the EECBG program, this workshop will share 'local energy solutions' including renewable energy, funding, strategies, transportation & food, and State resources. There will also be lots of time for questions and a workshop exercise to share innovative ideas for community outreach. Join us and you will be able to better position your community to make investments in future energy savings, simplify your strategies and implementation plans, and have the opportunity to network with other Michigan municipalities and organizations pursuing energy efficiency and conservation projects.

Keynote Speaker:

Pat Murphy, Executive Director of Community Solutions & author of Plan C: Community Survival Strategies

Mr. Murphy defines a community as ‘a few thousand’ people living within an area of ‘a few square miles’ …  such as a neighborhood, village or district. His strategy identifies ‘small community’ as the solution – one that optimizes both physical and human resources.

All Michigan municipalities are invited to attend the Local Energy Solutions workshop to be held on Tuesday, September 28 at Weber's Inn, Ann Arbor.  Resources for local energy solutions will be presented with opportunities for networking with Michigan municipalities and organizations that are pursuing local energy solutions.  Keynote Speaker Pat Murphy, Executive Director of Community Solutions and author of Plan C:  Community Survival Strategies for Peak Oil and Climate Change, will be on hand to share success stories and provide valuable insight to your ideas and questions.  The day-long workshp is scheduled from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at a cost to municipal government officials of $25 per person.  The workshop is sponsored by Clean Energy Coalition.  Contact Bonnie Bona at bonnie@cec-mi.org for more information or register at  http://shop.cec-mi.org/Local-Energy-Solutions-Workshop-Municipality-0051.htm 

The Michigan Saves program is in the beginning of its roll-out phase. Although Michigan communities themselves will not be the initial recipients of these low-interest rate loans, residential homeowners will benefit greatly. A summary of the program is found in the second titlted "Hghlights of the Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program" is at this link.

Michigan communities should become familiar with the program in order to provide guidance for their residents in develing "better places." Stay tuned for more information on this exciting program.

This post was by the Michigan Municipal League's Sue Jeffers. She can be reached at sjeffers@mml.org.