Primary Objective: Use 100% renewable energy
Our energy will be sustainable when our sources are from renewable resources, generated as locally as possible and do not compete with food supplies.
Sustainable Energy Indicators
State of Our Environment
The Ann Arbor community's electricity is provided by DTE Energy, which produces most of its electricity from nonrenewable coal and nuclear plants. Nearly all of the energy we use to heat our homes comes from natural gas, which is also nonrenewable. In May 2006, Mayor Hieftje announced a goal of moving Ann Arbor to 20% renewable energy by the year 2015, including both electricity and natural gas. More and more of us are deciding both the monetary cost and the long-term climate impacts of continuing to use these fossil fuels are unacceptable.
Other Indicators Related to Sustainable Energy
What the City of Ann Arbor is Doing
The City of Ann Arbor Energy Office is responsible for energy efficiency projects and consults to Service Areas on energy puchases. Ann Arbor’s 1981 Energy Plan set forth a goal to, in part, “increase energy efficiency and use of renewable resources in existing and new construction.” That statement is still as valid today when it was written. Reducing electricity use will also be an important component in achieving the City goals of zero net greenhouse gas emissions and 100% renewable energy use. The city captures landfill gas from our closed landfill and generates electricity that is purchased by DTE. Hydropower is generated at Barton and Superior dams and sold to DTE. Ann Arbor's Energy Office is working with DTE to increase the availability of Michigan-based renewable energy to Ann Arbor residents.
The City has been working for years to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy in our operations in order to reduce our energy use and costs. We have installed high-efficiency boilers and chillers in our facilities, retrofitted indoor lighting through the EPA’s Green Lights program, and were among the first municipalities to replace our incandescent traffic signals with LEDs. We are currently piloting LED street lights around the City with the aim of eventually cutting our street lighting energy use by more than half. Our pools are heated with the help of the sun and we are installing a solar water heater on our downtown fire station.
The City of Ann Arbor Energy Commission oversees City policies where energy efficiency and renewable energy should be addressed and advise City Council. Commission meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month except August, and are open to the public.
You Can Help
- Conduct a home energy audit. Homeowners can contact the Ann Arbor ReUse Center’s Environmental House to learn about getting a home energy audit.
- Conservation First. Not using it? Turn it off! Unplug appliances, including cell phone and laptop chargers when not in use.
- Purchase energy efficient appliances. Purchase Energy Star appliances. Take shorter or cooler showers. Install low-flow showerheads.
- Temperature control makes a big difference. Dial it down in winter and up in summer: every degree can save you up to 3% off your bill. Install a programmable thermostat. Upgrade your home’s insulation and weather stripping. Turn your water heater down to 120°F and insulate your pipes.
- Move to Renewable Energy. Buy green electricity. Watch your local utility for a green power program or visit the US Dept. of Energy’s Green Power Network website for other options. Put up a small wind turbine.
- Use the Sun. Look into solar water heating. Incorporate passive solar design into your new home! Install photovoltaic panels. Use sun-shading trees and window overhangs to reduce summer cooling costs. Contact the Ann Arbor ReUse Center’s Environmental House to learn about solar options in Ann Arbor.