Grand Rapids, Mich., has authorized the largest single purchase of Michigan-based renewable energy by enrolling as the largest participant in Consumers Energy's Green Generation program.
The Grand Rapids City Commission approved a resolution to enroll in the program. As a result, Grand Rapids has attained its goal of receiving 20% of its electric supply from Michigan-based renewable sources by the end of 2008.
Grand Rapids' enrollment in Green Generation has been carefully managed to be cost neutral for the city. Grand Rapids and Consumers Energy are collaborating on strategies to reduce the city's electric peak load requirements.
Consumers Energy's Green Generation has more than 11,400 customer participants.
Consumers Energy purchases electricity for the program from two wind turbines near Mackinaw City and has entered into contracts with other wind-generation projects that are in various stages of development. All of the projects are located in Michigan's Lower Peninsula and all sources are Green-e certified as renewable.
