AAPS Achieves 100% Clean Electricity Goal Through DTE Energy MIGreenPower Program

The Ann Arbor Public Schools will receive 100 percent of their electricity through renewable power generation by 2024 after enrolling in DTE Energy’s (DTE) MIGreenPower program. AAPS is the first Michigan school district to join the program.

The AAPS Board of Education approved the 20-year enrollment in MIGreenPower at their June 15th meeting.

AAPS is already a leader in renewable energy, currently receiving six percent of the district’s electricity from over one megawatt of solar panels on school buildings. AAPS produces more solar power than any other single organization in Washtenaw County. Every year, the environmental benefit of the district’s 100 percent clean electricity commitment will avoid 15,000 tons of CO2 -eq emissions which are equivalent to not burning 74 rail cars’ worth of coal annually.

”AAPS recognizes that climate change is real, increasing and caused by human activity and is taking action steps in keeping with the commitment of the Ann Arbor community to support a healthy environment for present and future generations,” says Rebecca Lazarus, President of the Board of Education.

Superintendent Jeanice K. Swift shares, “In joining the MIGreenPower program, AAPS is the first Michigan K12 school district to take such a bold action to reduce our carbon footprint by supporting the construction and operation of renewable solar and wind projects right here in Michigan. This step represents a key component of our overall plan and progress to serve as a national model for sustainable K12 school practices in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.”

“We know many of our customers are looking for clean energy solutions, and DTE has a suite of programs available to help our customers reduce their impact on the environment,” said Brian Calka, director, Renewable Solutions, DTE Energy. “In fact, more than 30% of Ann Arbor’s electric usage is already attributed to DTE’s renewable energy projects. DTE is committed to helping the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County achieve their respective sustainability goals, and we are excited to welcome AAPS into the MIGreenPower program as part of that effort.”

DTE is Michigan’s largest producer of renewable energy and the company plans to add thousands of megawatts of new clean energy projects to support the growth of its MIGreenPower program. Today, DTE’s MIGreenPower is among the largest voluntary renewable energy programs in the country. On an annual basis, MIGreenPower customers have enrolled 1.9 million megawatt-hours of clean energy in the program, which has the environmental benefit equivalent to taking nearly 300,000 cars off the road for a year.*

About Ann Arbor Public Schools

The AAPS offers an arts-infused world-class educational experience, including quality

program opportunities such as:

  • Project Lead the Way, offered in every school in grades K-12, and A2STEAM at Northside K-8 school,

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme offered preschool through 12th grade at Mitchell Elementary, Scarlett Middle and Huron High Schools,

  • Infusion of World Language including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, French, Latin and American Sign Language,

  • Preschool and Early Fives classrooms, and

  • Abundant technology infused into every campus.

Visit AAPS at a2schools.org

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