Local MI Chambers Host Clean Energy Discussion with Governor’s Office

The Lansing, Saginaw and Traverse City Chambers of Commerce co-hosted a briefing call with representatives from Governor Rick Snyder’s office to exchange ideas on the state’s clean energy goals. During the briefing, approximately 50 chamber officials and member companies learned about the state’s energy goals and shared information about their energy projects and experiences.

Valerie Brader, Michigan’s senior policy advisor on energy, told the chambers that the state is likely to seek an increase in its energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. She said she was gratified to hear about the activities already being undertaken by chambers and asked them to share their stories more widely to help build support for innovative energy policy in the state.

The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, for example, told the participants about a very well received revolving loan program to fund energy efficiency retrofits. The Saginaw Chamber said it hoped to involve its members in one of the state’s new energy working groups and the Lansing Chamber discussed its continuing efforts to guide innovative energy policies in the state.

The call also featured a briefing about the surprising bipartisan momentum in Congress around energy efficiency legislation.

A summary of energy efficiency legislative initiatives in Washington can be found here. A short profile of the Traverse City program can be found here.