ESCANABA - Compact fluorescent light bulbs, an LED (light emitting diode) nightlight/flashlight, an oxygenics showerhead and Neoperl aerators. All these products, designed for energy conservation, have been packaged in kits distributed to many residents in 12 of the Upper Peninsula's 15 counties. Michigan GREEN (Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation) partnered with G-Energy and the Northern Lights Energy Program at M-TEC to purchase and distribute energy kits to low-income renters throughout rural Michigan.

According to a press release from Michigan GREEN, 7,150 kits - with a retail value of $140 each - were disbursed in 61 counties in the state. The project was funded through a $750,000 grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Bryan Zaplitny, Michigan GREEN founder, estimated the kit could save residents up to $100 a year.

"Based on the potential energy savings of $100 a year from these conservation measures, the total savings on utility bills from these households will exceed $3.5 million over the next five years," he said. "That's a tremendous return on investment for the MPSC's energy grant program."

Zaplitny said M-TEC and G-Energy professional staff worked closely with MTI Lighting personnel to coordinate the program.

"While we feel good about distributing over 7,000 energy kits, we know there are many more citizens whose monthly budgets would benefit from these conservation measures. Michigan GREEN will continue to pursue funding opportunities in collaboration with our partner organizations," he said.

More than a third of the eligible residents in the U.P. received kits, Zaplitny said.

He said he has been putting together energy kits for years. The kits used to be given out at fund-raisers. The current state of the economy was a driving force for Zaplitny's distribution project.

"The cost of utilities is going up. People are having a hard time. What better way to help them than to give them an opportunity to reduce their bills?" he said.

The kits were designed for rural, low-income renters. Zaplitny, and project partner Kevin Cook of G-Energy, said this group considered when they were deciding what to put into the kits.

Once the criteria for who would receive the kits was set, it was just a matter of getting the word out.

Zaplitny said the kits were hand-delivered to 180 housing commissions or low-income apartment complexes in the state.

The kits have been very successful.

"Everybody loved the kits," Zaplitny said. "There was a need for more."

For more information on the energy kits, visit www.michigangreen.org

By Mary Ann Jandro - mjandro@dailypress.net
Published: Friday, November 17, 2006