Hello,
My name is Kate, I am contacting you from Standish MI, where I am a part of the Central Bay District. I am blessed to be able to offer helpful information to churches who may be feeling a bit of a pinch with utilities bills this winter.
You may have received my recent phone message or a flyer in the mail explaining that the Clean Energy Act makes it possible for you to have all new LED bulbs and smart programmable thermostats provided and installed for free by a Consumers Energy Team. These changes help make it possible for you to free up potentially $650 from your annual maintenance budget, money that you can then use to meet needs and help your mission there in your community. This is provided to Consumers Energy customers who have either gas or electric accounts with Consumers, and own their own buildings.
Here’s a link to our website with more info about Light the Way . Since 2015, over 1,000 Michigan congregations have participated in the program and received an average of $1,300 in free energy efficient upgrades — like LED lighting, smart thermostats, and low-flow faucet aerators. These congregations are also saving an average of $650/year on energy bills— savings that can go right back into their vital missions and ministries. First Congregational Church, UCC in Jackson participated and you can click here to check out this video testimonial from Rev. Kerry Taylor-Snyder.
Once your congregation has availed itself of the free Light the Way program, you should be provided with a report including custom recommendations on the next steps your congregation can take to save energy and money. In some cases, discounts and rebates can cover up to 100% of the project cost, thanks to legislation we helped advocate for. University Lutheran Church in East Lansing is one example of a church that replaced their parking lot lighting for just $1,000 on a job for which a contractor quoted them $25,000 and was able to save over 50% on upgrading their interior lighting using Consumers Energy rebates. We’ve outlined their story and all of the various discounts and rebate programs available to you here.
Let us be a resource in your energy saving journey!
Please feel free to call me at 231-970-0434 and I can help St. John to get started with this program!
Grace and Peace to you today!
Kate
Kate Poirier
Energy Programs Outreach Specialist
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light
Office: 248-463-8811
Putting faith into action for a cleaner, healthier, more just world.