Washtenaw Community College is the first community college to join the DTE renewable energy program

By Stone Andrews On Jun 23, 2021

ANN ARBOR, me. – Washtenaw Community College announced on Wednesday that it has joined DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program.

Ann Arbor Community College is the first in Michigan to participate in the program, which offers participants an opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint through affordable access to clean energy.

The WCC’s inclusion in the program will begin in 2023 and will increase annually until 2029, when all of the WCC’s electricity needs will be met by clean energy.

The University of Michigan, Ford, General Motors, Ann Arbor SPARK, and Ann Arbor residents and businesses have joined the volunteer program.

“Protecting our valuable resources for future generations is of vital importance to all of us. The WCC is excited to partner with DTE as the first Michigan community college to participate in MIGreenPower to accelerate our longstanding commitment to this endeavor, ”said WCC president Dr. Rose B. Bellanca in a press release.

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MIGreenPower program subscribers have supported 1.8 million megawatt hours of clean energy since the program was founded. This prevented more than 1.4 million tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of the greenhouse gas emissions from 277,400 cars driven for a year, DTE officials said.

In addition to making a clean energy commitment, the WCC’s sustainability efforts include eliminating lightbulbs, composting food and garden waste, installing electric vehicles, implementing campus recycling, and adhering to the LEED rating system for green buildings.

The college has outlined long and short term goals for carbon neutrality and signed the American Colleges and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, a network of higher education institutions committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Washtenaw Community College is one of the best community colleges in our region,” said Brian Calka, Director Renewable Solutions at DTE, in a press release. “We know they are committed to supporting the educational goals of the more than 21,000 students they oversee each year, and we are delighted that they have enrolled at MIGreenPower to help meet the environmental goals that support their Faculty, students, staff, and supporters are important. ”