STATE OF MICHIGAN

BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

In the matter, on the Commission's own )
Motion, to establish the Michigan ) Case No. U-12915
Renewables Energy Program. )
__________________________)

Follow up Comments of
The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association

Regarding the Michigan Renewables Energy Program

The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) wishes first to acknowledge the many excellent comments and recommendations that were submitted to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Certainly, establishing an effective and well managed renewables program for Michigan will be a daunting task and it is obvious that there are many well qualified and willing Michigan proponents able to assist with the development of such a program.

There are a few items that we would like to add support for in the discussion. First of all, as has been mentioned, the Energy Office has been working with renewables for over 10 years. We have worked with them, know the quality of their efforts, and believe that any renewable energy program, green tagging, low income financing, elementary/high school program, college level training or certification program would be well handled if done under their jurisdiction. This would insure coordination of programs and avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of efforts.

Second, GLREA is always coming up against the question of what is "renewable energy" and what is not. As a first step, the MPSC needs to define with a general statement what qualifies as renewable energy in Michigan, and to establish guidelines on how best to determine a green power program. Too many energy sources, marketed under the guise of renewable energy, do nothing to promote efficiency, a clean environment or sustainability. Yet, there are a number of well thought out approaches to green power labeling, tagging and marketing that deserve consideration. With the possibility of several green power marketers about to enter Michigan, the MPSC needs to decide whether to maintain its flexibility and promote all approaches, or through hearings and rule-making, determine which singular approach will be allowed in the state.

Third, GLREA feels that the long term goal of the MREP should be to have Michigan citizens reduce energy consumption first and then look to renewables. We should be moving away from the idea of using and generating electricity toward displacing the need for it, through efficiency in industry operations, through the use of Energy Star appliances, through daylighting and passive design, through efficient use of building materials and efficient construction practices. In addition, to be looking at renewables only for the purpose of generating electricity misses a big part of what renewable energy is all about. Funding support needs to be carefully allocated for all types of renewables, including energy efficiency, solar thermal and passive solar and energy efficient design.

By using a portion of the LI/EE funding for these kinds of programs and setting up a fund for no interest loans, the state will be benefiting low income people for the long term, educating them and helping them to help themselves.

Finally, GLREA would like to reemphasize its support for zoned "renewable energy parks". This is an excellent way of raising public awareness about renewables and could quickly get the MREP ball rolling. The size of installations for small communities could be relatively minor, but it would have enormous repercussions in terms of changing the public thinking about what is possible in their local area and throughout the state.

GLREA recommends that the MPSC establish an advisory board to evaluate the various options received through public testimony and hearings in order to best determine what should be adopted by the state and the mechanisms for implementing the various components of the Michigan Renewables Energy Program including loan funds financing, property and sales tax exemptions, certification of renewable energy professionals and products, and creation of a Michigan Renewable Energy Center. We would look forward to participating on that board.

Submitted 5/31/2001

by the GLREA Board of Directors

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