Detroit Evening Report: Dearborn commits to 100% renewable energy at city buildings
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City schools, police stations, libraries and other municipal buildings will get solar panels as part of DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program.
The city of Dearborn is opting in to DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program to get municipal buildings to 100% renewable energy usage by 2026.
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Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud says it’s one of the ways the city is taking a lead in becoming more green.
“We’re the largest municipality today in the state of Michigan to opt into this MIGreen program with DTE, and we’re proud of it,” he said. “I think it just demonstrates that even public municipalities have a role to play in the transition to renewable energy sources.”
Mayor Hammoud says the renewable energy infrastructure — which DTE will build out — could save the city more than $250,000 per year come 2026.
Dearborn City Councilmember Mustapha Hammoud helped to spearhead the city’s enrollment in the renewable energy program. He says it helps give residents and businesses an opportunity to make an impact in a greener future, and with no added cost to taxpayers. “I’m glad this administration and many of my Council colleagues share my dedication to not just provide sustainable power for city operations, but to do so with a forecasted savings to our taxpayers,” he said in a news release.
Mayor Hammoud says the city hopes to create more opportunities for residents to bring more renewable energy into their homes, too.
“We’re currently working right now with our public health department, as well as our public works department about trying to devise some ordinances as well as identify pathways for residents to draw down incentive dollars or grant dollars to help update their home if they’d like,” Hammoud said.
Nearly 1,500 residents and businesses within city limits are already using MIGreenPower to reduce their environmental impact, according to the city.
WDET reporter Nargis Rahman contributed to this report.
Other headlines for Friday, Jan. 26, 2024:
- The Southfield Public Library is hosting a Teen Steam Night on the science of scent with Terees Western of FragranTed at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29.
- Sunday Films at the Wright returns this Sunday, Jan. 28, with a 1 p.m. screening of “Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun,” the first film in a four-part series uncovering stories that shed light on the African Diasporic experience.
- Enjoy this weekend’s fall-like weather at one or both free Winterfest offerings this Saturday at the Belle Isle Nature Center and Rouge Park.
- The Detroit Lions play the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
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