Grand Rapids, MI yesterday enrolled in Consumers Energy's Green Generation program as part of an ongoing strategic effort to both satisfy a growing percentage of its municipal power demand with wind, landfill gas, and other clean sources and support the establishment of new jobs and companies in the state's fledgling energy innovation sector.The deal reportedly makes Michigan's second largest city the largest purchaser of renewable power from Consumers Energy.
"This historic investment by our city's leadership strongly establishes Grand Rapids as a progressive, green community committed to environmental sustainability and the triple bottom line," Mayor George Heartwell said in a press release issued by Consumers. "This is a positive step forward which will benefit the Michigan economy and will reduce the City of Grand Rapids' carbon footprint by an estimated 10,200 tons of carbon dioxide annually."
"The prize at the end of the race is worth all of our best efforts, and the prize is when our children's children's children breathe clean air and enjoy abundant power without fear of depleting or destroying natural resources," said Mayor Heartwell, who has publicly mused about setting a goal of 100 percent renewable power for his city.
"That's the vision and it's up to us to accomplish it."
