POSTED: January 4, 2009

Project EverGREEN Schools Outreach Program

MARQUETTE - Nearly every school district in Marquette and Alger counties is supporting the use of renewable energy by signing a petition circulated by a non-profit organization.

The petition - being circulated by the Michigan Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation, or Michigan GREEN - urges Gov. Jennifer Granholm to make changes to Senate Bill 213 that would remove economic barriers for schools wishing to set up independent renewable energy generators, such as wind turbines.

"Of course, anything that can help the environment will help our future, and that is our students," said Jill Bevins, superintendent of the Powell Township school district. "We want students to get involved with the issue so they can carry the ball."

So far, 46 school districts in the Upper Peninsula have signed the petition, which is also being circulated nationwide. Twelve districts in Marquette and Alger counties have signed petitions.

Senate Bill 213 is designed to promote the development of clean and renewable energy by establishing regulations for larger power companies. It includes a modified net metering system for power customers that choose to implement an independent renewable energy generator producing more than 150 kilowatts.

According to the bill, under the modified net metering system, excess energy generated on-site would earn energy credits. However, sites that had an on-site renewable energy system and still required additional power would be subject to a standby charge, which is the regular energy rate applied to both the power generated on-site and energy that comes in over the power grid.

The petition asks that those charges be waived for educational facilities.

Michigan GREEN fears that the extra charges would "diminish or eliminate economic incentives that would generate benefits for students, school districts and communities through the implementation of onsite, integrated, renewable energy systems," according to the wording of the petition.

Students, schools and communities can benefit from having on-site renewable energy technology, said Bryan Zaplitny, vice president and treasurer for Michigan GREEN.

Zaplitny is also CEO of MTI Energy Management, the company in charge of constructing and designing the wind turbine being installed at Ishpeming's Pioneer Bluffs Apartments.

"This is where the country is going according to our president-elect," Zaplitny said.

Through MTI Energy and Zaplitny's other company, Clean Green Energy LLC, schools can participate in green energy without having to pay construction costs.

Similar to the agreement with the Ishpeming Housing Commission, the company would cover costs of constructing a wind turbine and the school would purchase the energy produced, Zaplitny said.

In addition to the renewable energy technology, Michigan GREEN is working on creating a renewable energy curriculum and a scholarship for students who pursue alternative energy studies in college. The curriculum would provide students with hands-on experience with the on-site technology, which is also of interest to local schools.

"When (Michigan GREEN) came to us, we said, 'Yes,'" said Mike Maino, superintendent of the Gwinn school district.

Maino said Gwinn has already sent out a request for proposals to make energy improvements, including the possibility of installing an alternative energy system, that are due back by Jan. 16.

Ishpeming Public Schools has also begun exploring the cost-effectiveness of installing a wind turbine to supplement energy use at Birchview Elementary, Superintendent Stephen Piereson said.

Michigan GREEN contends that supporting alternative energy use in schools can be beneficial not only for the schools, but also the community by creating awareness of renewable energy, improved air quality from less reliance on fossil fuels and increased employment opportunities via construction of the on-site facilities.

Michigan GREEN Editors Note: Schools can join our fight for green schools by download and signing our National Green Schools petition here.

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By JOHANNA BOYLE, Journal Ishpeming Bureau
POSTED: January 4, 2009
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