Title
Resolution Supporting Strong, Enforceable Renewable Portfolio Standard
Body
Whereas, Ann Arbor has a long term goal to use 100% renewable energy; and
Whereas, on May 1, 2006 Ann Arbor’s City Council unanimously passed a resolution to formally adopt the goal of using 30% renewable energy for municipal use by 2010, 20% renewable energy use community-wide, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% of 2000 levels by 2015; and
Whereas, Ann Arbor is seeking to create a long-term fixed price renewable energy rate similar to Austin Energy’s Green Choice® Program; and
Whereas, a strong, enforceable Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) creating immediate renewable capacity demand is essential to create a successful renewable energy market within Michigan; and
Whereas, the creation of such renewable energy demand is the only option which could significantly stimulate investment and job growth within the State of Michigan; and
Whereas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a strong Michigan RPS requiring the immediate purchase of additional renewable energy would, in combination with Ohio’s RPS, create the third largest renewable energy market in the United States; and
Whereas, moving to renewable energy has been proven to be an economic stimulant, creating jobs and new industry; and
Whereas, in testimony before the Michigan State Senate’s Energy Policy and Public Utilities Committee, GE Renewables Market Development director, Seth Dunn cited an effective RPS as “an important factor in project and supply chain investment decisions,” noting that wind project and manufacturing locations are closely correlated with the presence of an RPS; and
Whereas, the recent addition of renewable energy projects to the transmission system interconnection queue maintained by the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) provides evidence that renewable energy developers are preparing for the enactment of a strong, enforceab...
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