December 20, 2006 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) Director Robert W. Swanson announced today that four grants, each up to $50,000, have been awarded for education projects related to energy efficiency, solar energy, and wind energy.

"These grants will encourage the responsible use of our current energy resources, while promoting the development of new energy sources that are clean and sustainable," Granholm said. 

• Michigan State University will receive $49,902 and will conduct a wind energy project that will provide workshops, equipment loans to farmers so they can measure wind speeds, and help on community wind energy projects. Community wind projects are locally owned and are sized to meet the needs of a school or town. 
• The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, a non-profit organization in Dimondale, will receive $49,998 and will conduct a Go Solar educational and group purchasing project in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and a Detroit area community. 
• Urban Options, a non-profit in East Lansing, will receive $50,000 and will work with retailers to promote compact fluorescent lights (CFL's) and provide incentives for up to 15,000 CFL's. 
• Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, a statewide ecumencial organization, will receive $50,000 and will work with religious, business, educational, and environmental organizations to promote the purchase of ENERGY STAR products.

"Saving energy keeps dollars in our local economy." Swanson said. "And these programs link buyers with local retailers and installers. Consumers and businesses will both benefit."

Funding for these projects is made available from a U.S. Department of Energy grant to the Energy Office. The four projects were selected through a competitive process open to non-profit and public organizations.

Contacts:
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assoc., Jennifer Alvarado (517-646-6269, jennifer.alvarado@glrea.org)
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, Rev. Charles Morris (734-552-0104, miipandl@yahoo.com)
Michigan State University, Dr. Stephen Harsh (517-353-4518, harsh@msu.edu)
Urban Options, Aileen Gow (517-337-0422, aileen@urbanoptions.org)
John Sarver, Energy Office (517-241-6280, jhsarve@michigan.gov)

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.