Ann Arbor SPARK to go 100 percent renewable energy with DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program

Special to WLAA
October 6, 2020, 4 years ago

A catalyst for innovation, Ann Arbor SPARK has signed up to participate in DTE’s MIGreenPower voluntary renewable energy program to reduce its carbon footprint

Ann Arbor SPARK’s commitment to clean energy was announced at the organization’s annual meeting taking place during the seven-day a2Tech360 program

Seeing continued growth, DTE’s MIGreenPower program is one of the nation’s largest voluntary renewable energy programs

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization building cross-sector, regional economic growth, and DTE Energy today announced that Ann Arbor SPARK has committed to 100 percent renewable energy through DTE’s MIGreenPower program. Ann Arbor SPARK’s investment in MIGreenPower will offset 334,000 pounds of CO₂ annually, equivalent to the carbon removed by 200 acres of U.S. forests in one year.*

Focused on advancing the economic vitality of the Ann Arbor region, Ann Arbor SPARK has served as a catalyst for economic development for more than a decade. In the last five year alone, Ann Arbor SPARK has helped nearly 200 established businesses invest over $926 million in the Ann Arbor region. These businesses created over 5900 jobs. For our earliest stage companies, Ann Arbor SPARK helped 716 companies. All totaled, SPARK’s work resulted in more than $15 million in investments, grants, and funding to companies growing in the region.

“Enrolling in MIGreenPower was an easy decision for our organization,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. “The program provides us with the ability to make an immediate impact on the environment and contribute to the clean energy economy. Increasingly, easy access to renewable energy is a major draw for companies to open or relocate to a community. Programs like MIGreenPower helps us attract and retain businesses that help drive continued economic growth and technological innovation.”

DTE’s MIGreenPower program enables customers to choose the percentage of their energy use they would like to attribute to renewables beyond the 13% wind or solar power DTE already provides every customer in their energy mix. More than 16,000 DTE Electric residential and small business customers have already joined in the program since its launch in April 2017. Enrolled MIGreenPower customers are reducing their carbon footprint by participating in DTE’s Pinnebog Wind Park, Lapeer Solar Park and O’Shea Solar Park. Together, these renewable energy projects offset 186,357 tons of CO₂, the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking more than 36,500 passenger cars off the road for a year.*

“Partnering with an outstanding economic development organization like Ann Arbor SPARK is a tremendous opportunity for DTE,” said Trevor Lauer, president of DTE Energy’s electric company. “SPARK has consistently demonstrated their ability to help drive economic development in the Ann Arbor area and across the state of Michigan. Today, companies of all sizes are interested in accessing more renewable energy to meet their sustainability goals. By enrolling in MIGreenPower, both business and residential customers can reduce their impact on the environment and help accelerate renewable energy development in Michigan.”

Well-known Michigan organizations, including General Motors, Ford, the University of Michigan and the Detroit Zoo, along with more than 10 other commercial customers, have also enrolled in a MIGreenPower program specifically designed for their size and energy use. DTE is bringing three new wind parks and three new solar parks online to meet customer demand for this program.

DTE plans to build additional renewable energy projects and expand MIGreenPower to meet increasing customer demand. As the state’s largest producer of renewable energy, DTE will more than double its renewable energy generation capacity, investing an additional $2 billion in wind and solar by 2024 and has a goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Customers can join MIGreenPower by visiting www.migreenpower.com or calling DTE’s MIGreenPower enrollment hotline at 855-613-4445.

Ann Arbor SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business attraction, retention, and acceleration. The organization identifies and meets the needs of businesses at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners. For more information, please call (734)-761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.2 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects; renewable natural gas; natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage; and energy marketing and trading. As an environmental leader, DTE utility operations will reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80% by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE Electric and Gas aspire to achieve net zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. DTE is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com.

[AA Spark]