Transcript Energy Better Communities. Better Michigan. Going Green What is the “Go Green” movement? Why is it such a hot topic?

Energy
Better Communities. Better Michigan.
Going Green
What is the “Go Green” movement?
Why is it such a hot topic?
Going Green
How does “Going Green” affect –
Earth?
USA?
Michigan?
 your community?
 you?
What do we know?
Let’s start with what we know . . .
What do we know?
Planet
Increase in temperature of planet —
sometimes called global warming,
but more accurately climate change
What do we know?
Resources
Earth’s resources are being used faster
than they can be replenished. We
continue to leave the planet in a poorer
condition for our future generations than
what we inherited.
What do we know?
Economic reality
We cannot afford to spend $$$ for energy
usage at the same rate as we have in the
past
Climate Change
Climate change is one of today’s most
important issues affecting the world and
our country
Climate Change
The warmest years ever recorded have
all occurred in the past twelve years
1998—the warmest
2001—the second warmest
Climate Change
Why is this happening?
Primarily due to a steady rise in the
concentration of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere.
Limited Resources
We do not inherit the earth from our
ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
What’s Next?
Conditions are ripe for –
a perfect storm or
a perfect opportunity
Basic Terms and Concepts
Let’s spend just a few
moments talking about the
Basic Terms and Concepts
What are the Basic Terms?
Greenhouse effect and gases
Carbon footprint
Climate change
Climate action
Sustainability
Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse effect is natural and good
Solar radiation is absorbed by the
earth’s surface, converted into heat, and
emitted into the atmosphere as infrared
radiation
Greenhouse Effect
Some of the radiation escapes into
outer space; however, some is absorbed
and re-emitted BACK towards the
earth’s surface by greenhouse gases
Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Effect
Climate change (global warming) is the
result of “enhanced” greenhouse effect
Human activities have tipped the
delicate balance of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere, intensifying the natural
greenhouse effect
Greenhouse Gases
The primary greenhouse gases
(GHG) in the Earth’s atmosphere are





water vapor
carbon dioxide
methane
nitrous oxide
ozone
Municipal GHG
Energy use for electricity, heating and
transportation is far and away the
largest contributor to municipal GHG
 Energy 91%
 Waste 1%
 Transportation 8%
Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint measures the carbon
dioxide emissions caused by activities
for:
 Country
 Municipality
 Individual
Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is usually measured in
pounds or tons of CO2 per year.
Environmental Footprint
There are other measures used —
including environmental footprint
Why “Go Green”?
Climate protection measures
 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
 Reduce energy consumption
But why?
 Because it directly promotes Sustainability
— the long-term environmental, social and
economic vitality in our communities
Sustainability
Planning and action necessary to create
long-term environmental, social, and
economic vitality in communities
The triple-bottom line
Climate Action
Local governments are leading the way —
ahead of the national government — to
find solutions and take steps to combat
climate change
Climate Action
What are local governments doing?
Local governments are not only
addressing sustainable issues affecting
municipal operations but also affecting
their residents
Climate Action
From a municipal standpoint:
Forward-thinking local governments are
addressing climate and energy concerns by
integrating energy efficiency, clean energy
supply, transportation, land use, and waste
management
Climate Action
From a residential standpoint:
Local governments are providing incentives to
reduce air pollutants, lower energy costs,
support local economic development and
improve public health and quality of life
Energy Star Challenge
Governmental units and other commercial
and industrial energy consumers can take
Energy Star Challenge to improve energy
efficiency in their buildings by 10%
Energy Star Challenge
www.energystar.gov
What about Michigan?
Has any program been developed specifically
for Michigan communities?
YES!
Michigan Green Communities Challenge
Michigan local units of government can take
the Michigan Green Communities Challenge
Program by which local units of government
can increase energy efficiency, promote
energy conservation, become more
sustainable and reduce cost
Michigan Green Communities Challenge
Developed by the Michigan Municipal League
in collaboration with the state Bureau of
Energy Systems
Online template available for all Michigan
communities
Michigan Green Communities Challenge Steps
Council action
Assign responsibility
Take audit/baseline measurements
Make your plan
Choose projects and goals for your
community
Measure progress
Michigan Green Communities Challenge
Central resource for Michigan communities
for energy efficiency and conservation
practices
Central resource for Michigan communities
for information re: EECBG projects
Michigan Green Communities Challenge
http://greenchallenge.mml.org
If your community has not yet enrolled,
encourage your municipal officials to do so
What Can You Do?
Just as your community can take an
assessment of its energy usage and commit
to be more energy efficient and sustainable –
So can you!
Your Personal Carbon Footprint
Flying in a plane
Manufacture and distribution of products
you buy
Turning on lights in house
Driving your car
Your Carbon Footprint
Home energy use accounts for about ¼ of
your carbon footprint
Home energy use - 27%
Food and drink - 5%
Recreation - 14%
Services - 15%
Purchase - 20%
Transportation - 19%
Average Household Energy Use









Heating and cooling - 45%
Water heater - 11%
Refrigerator - 6%
Dishwasher - 2%
Clothes washer & dryer - 10%
Computer and monitor - 2%
TV, VCR, DVD - 2%
Lighting - 7%
Other (stoves, MWs, small appliances) - 15%
Carbon Footprint Calculator
www.carbonfootprint.com
Home Energy Rating
Get a Michigan Home Energy Rating
Home energy ratings indicate the energy
efficiency of a new or existing home on a
scale from 500 to 0, where a lower number
indicates greater energy efficiency (Go to
mich.gov)
Perform Home Energy Audit
A home energy audit is the first step to
determine how much energy your house uses
and what improvements you should make to
save money and energy




Energy Star
DTE
Consumers
Others
What is Energy Star?
Labeling program developed by US EPA
designed to identify and promote energy
efficient products to reduce GHG
Take the Energy Star Pledge—we can save
more than $18 billion in annual energy costs
and prevent GHG equivalent to emissions of
more than 18 million cars
Energy Star Pledge
Perform Home Energy Audit
Energy Star provides helpful information on
conducting a home audit including DIY audit
What’s Your Score
Perform Home Energy Audit
DTE
Go to DTE Energy – Home Energy Audit
Offers
4 options to conduct Home Energy Audit,
including free online audit using MyEnergy
Analyzer
Perform Home Energy Audit
Consumers Energy
Go to Consumers Energy – Home Energy
Analyzer
Energy Star
Actions that you can take in your house!
Energy Star Highlights
A programmable thermostat can save you
up to $180 per year
Changing to energy-efficient lighting can
save you up to $70 per year
Energy Star Highlights
Proper installation and use of Energy Star
qualified heating and cooling equipment
can cut your energy bill by nearly $200 per
year
Sealing air leaks and adding insulation
with guidance from ENERGY STAR can
reduce your overall home energy bill by up to
10 percent, or about $200
Energy Star Categories
Heating and Cooling
Home Sealing
Lighting
Water Usage
Office Equipment
Electronics
Appliances
Heating and Cooling Tips
Make sure all air registers or floor vents are
clear of furniture
Make sure that connections at vents and
registers are well-sealed
HVAC—Replace air filter at least every 3
months
If your furnace is more than 15 years old,
consider replacing
Heating and Cooling Tips
If your a/c unit is more than 12 years old,
consider replacing with more efficient unit
Properly ventilate attic
Install Energy Star qualified ventilation fans to
control moisture in bathrooms. Make sure
fan duct leads to outdoors to prevent
moisture problems
Home Sealing Tips
Cover and seal all holes that lead from
plumbing, ductwork, or electrical outlets
Seal gaps and holes with caulk, foam board
and spray foam. Never use duct tape—it is
not long-lasting
Home Sealing Tips
In a typical house, about 20% of the air that
moves through the duct system is lost due to
leaks and poorly connected ducts. Result:
inefficient HVAC system, high utility bills and
difficulty keeping the house comfortable
A properly sealed “envelope” or “shell” of your
house can save up 10% of total annual
energy bills
Home Sealing Tips
If replacing windows, choose Energy Star
qualified models designed for your area
Seal holes around outlets with an
inexpensive outlet gasket
Lighting Tips
Replace light bulbs with Energy Star qualified
bulbs, including compact fluorescent bulbs
(CFL)
Water Usage Tips
A 10-minute shower uses less water than a
full tub
Use 2.5 gallon-per-minute shower head—
saving 5 gallons of water over typical bath
and saving $145/year in electricity
Energy Star
Buy Energy Star products
Sustainability
For your community and for you . . .
Going Green is a win-win situation
It saves money
Ensures that the next generations will be able to
enjoy the Earth without depleting its resources
Energy Star @ Home
Now check this out on your computer and
have some fun!
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
ENERGY STAR @ HOME
Home Performance
• Best way is through an integrated "wholehouse" approach that looks at your house as
a system.
• Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
offers a comprehensive, whole-house
approach to improving energy efficiency and
comfort at home, while helping to protect the
environment.
Michigan Saves
• Stay tuned!!
• Residential program designed to offer lowcost loans for energy improvements
Conclusion
As your local officials, we are willing to help you
in any way that we can to become more
energy efficient and help reduce your costs.
It’s our way to partner with you as green
communities and residents.
Slide Title
This power point has been prepared by the
Michigan Municipal League in partial fulfillment
of a Technical Assistance Grant awarded by and
funds received from the state of Michigan under
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009.
Michigan Economic Recovery