A Framework For Energy In Northwest Michigan 2014 REPORT 1 A Framework for Transportation in planning, and decision-making and adopted goals from local plans Northwest Michigan was prepared as processes, and will help to identify and planning initiatives. Strategies are part of the Framework for Our Future: A the steps a community can take to not intended as recommendations, Regional Prosperity Plan for Northwest address a local issue, if desired. nor do they supersede and local Michigan, a regional resource for local government decision-making. governments, community organizations The Framework for Our Future was Moreover, the Framework is not working to meet local goals. developed by Networks Northwest intended for, nor shall it be used (formerly the Northwest Michigan for, infringing upon or the taking of The Framework was developed with Council of Governments) with input personal property rights enjoyed by support from the US Department and partnerships from a variety of the residents of Northwest Michigan. of Housing and Community community stakeholders and members Rather, the information included in Development’s Office of Economic of the public. An intensive community the Framework is instead intended Resilience and Partnership for outreach process featured a wide to serve as a compilation of best Sustainable Communities, the Michigan variety of opportunities for participation practices to help guide local decision- Department of Transportation, the from the public: events, surveys, focus makers who would like to address the Michigan State Housing Development groups, online forums, and public issues identified in the Framework. Authority, and the State of Michigan discussions were held region-wide Regional Prosperity Initiative, as well as throughout the process. Outreach countless community partners including activities and engagement opportunities members of the public, county included a series of community human service collaborative bodies, dialogues, interviews, and other local units of government, nonprofit events designed to obtain input from organizations, and many others. individuals with disabilities, minorities, youth, those in poverty, and others that A REGIONAL PROSPERITY PLAN The Framework for Our Future includes have historically been underrepresented FOR NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN information and tools that can help in planning processes. Public input stakeholders address issues such was used to identify priority community as housing, transportation, land use, issues and concerns, and to help energy, arts and culture, workforce and develop goals, strategies, and actions. economic development, community health, food and farming systems, The goals, strategies, and actions and natural resources. Data and included in the Framework were built information will help communities upon public input heard throughout supplement their local deliberation, the process, as well as on existing INTRODUCTION 3 REGIONAL ENERGY PROGRAMS 15 Key Indicators 4 Community Programs 16 In This Report Energy Experiences 19 ENERGY USE 5 SUMMARY 22 RESILIENT ENERGY STRATEGIES 6 REGIONAL ENERGY PROFILE 7 Social Equity 8 REGIONAL ENERGY ISSUES 10 Landlord / Tenant Investments 10 Consensus on Local 12 Generation Transmission & Distribution 13 2 A Framework for Energy: Introduction The Northwest Michigan Regional Energy Plan is a component of the Framework for Our Future: Tools and Strategies for Supporting the Grand Vision, a planning resource developed by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) and multiple nonprofit, public, and private partners. The Framework for Our Future is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Program. Genesis The Framework for Our Future grew out the Grand Vision, a citizen-led vision for future growth and development in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford County. Throughout 2008 and 2009, more than 15,000 citizens were involved Front Street, Traverse City in creating the Grand Vision, which provides a set of guiding principles for future development around food and farming; energy; growth & investment; This Northwest Michigan Regional future, provide a framework for decision housing; natural resources; and Energy Plan is a component of the makers when considering energy transportation. Now, community Framework for Our Future, but also choices and options, and supply members and partners are working to serves as a stand-alone resource information on initiatives to foster incorporate Grand Vision principles into for local governments, business, energy efficiency and renewable energy. plans, developments, investments, and community organizations, and citizens. practices. Networks made up of key The primary target audience is local community members work to advance Purpose governments within the Northwest Grand Vision guiding principles through Lower Michigan region. However, outreach, education, programs, The purpose of the Northwest there are a number of key players services, and collaboration between Michigan Regional Energy Plan is and stakeholders whose participation and among community partners. to provide a regional roadmap for a and effort is critical, including utilities, resilient energy future for the region. energy service providers, institutions, The Framework for Our Future industrial and commercial businesses, is intended to support the Grand This Plan is the first Energy Plan as well as citizens throughout the Vision by helping local governments, prepared in Northwest Lower Michigan, Region that make energy choices nonprofits, and other organizations and is intended to serve as a foundation every day. This Regional Energy Plan working to meet local goals, and will for future efforts. The Regional Energy attempts to provide information on include information and tools that Plan is not intended to be a consensus current energy situation and provide can address issues identified as on the optimal mix of energy resource direction and strategies to the Region priorities by the Grand Vision process. and efficiency investments. The diverse for achieving a resilient energy future. Highlights of the Framework process geography, capacity, needs, and include an emphasis on social equity options of the communities throughout Goals issues; a continued focus on public the Region make such a unified input; and the creation of tools, data, consensus approach impractical. Through extensive discussion, and resources that can be used by the Grand Vision Energy Network local governments, public agencies, The Regional Energy Plan attempts to established the following goal: nonprofits, and the private sector. outline the key factors in our energy 3 Resilient energy uses in Integration or modified and implemented to construction, transportation and reduce energy consumption and economic development. This Regional Energy Plan is one increase renewable energy, and component of the overall Regional Plan provide reliability, sustainability, and The Energy Network also identified for Sustainable Development, facilitated resiliency to our energy future. four key factors to consider through the NWMCOG with the support and ensure REAL solutions in of a HUD Sustainable Communities Section 2: Regional Energy the regional energy future: Grant. The Regional Energy Plan Profile — a description of current is also intended as a stand alone use of energy and results of a Reliability: Provide reliable document that will serve as a resource community survey on energy; and affordable energy for communities throughout the Region to build a resilient energy future. Section 3: Key Regional Energy Ecological Impact: Ensure energy Issues — an outline of the major issues choices are ecologically sound There will be significant components affecting energy choices for the Region; of the overall Regional Plan that will Affordability: Provide cost consider energy use and production, Section 4: Current Regional Energy effective options to reduce energy especially in the areas of Housing Efficiency / Renewable Energy use and develop alternatives and Transportation. Efforts are being Programs — a summary of selected to carbon-based fuels made to ensure integration of the initiatives underway in the public, recommendation in this Regional private, and non-profit sectors to Local Economic Impacts: Energy Plan with the overall Regional advance towards a resilient energy Stimulate investment in local energy Plan for Sustainable Development. future and experiences of selected efficiency and renewable energy businesses, institutions, and residents. Structure Key Indicators The Regional Energy Plan is The Grand Vision Energy Network organized into four sections: has identified key indicators that will evaluate progress towards a resilient Section 1: Resilient Energy Strategies energy future. These indicators — a series of strategies, programs, are outlined in the table below. and services that can be adopted Indicator Source Power Outages Utilities Reliability Peak Load – Value/Timing Utilities/MISO Personal impression of future reliability Surveys MMBTUs Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Energy Analysis Ecological Impact Local Sequestration Capacity Land Use Analysis Affordability Cost per Capita by Sector and Geography Baseline Energy Analysis Dollars Exported by Type and Sector Baseline Energy Analysis Local Economy Dollars Invested in Energy Efficiency and Local Generation Multiple 4 Energy Use Energy is used in all sectors of the economy