Reinvigorating the Michigan Economy Through Energy Efficiency and Conservation

NAME: Tremaine Phillips

LOCATION: Lansing, MI

ORGANIZATION: Michigan Environmental Council

For Tremaine Phillips, a light bulb went off.

As he has watched the economic crisis deepen across the state of Michigan and unemployment rates creep towards a staggering 15 percent, he realized he was seeing further proof that energy conservation and efficiency are not only solutions to the climate crisis, but means of improving financial stability for residents and businesses.

For residents, lowering utility bills can help to stem the tide of foreclosures in the state, reduce delinquency rates on utility bills, and allow families to spend more of their finances elsewhere. For struggling businesses and industries in Michigan, energy efficiency measures can increase profits, create jobs, and provide an avenue for making the Michigan economy more competitive in the global market.

With his TogetherGreen Fellowship, Phillips will promote conservation and energy efficiency in the city of Lansing.  Phillips intends to partner with local utilities, non-profits and the religious community to promote energy efficiency and conservation efforts in the city of Lansing. Phillips will also look to organize instructive energy efficiency and conservation trainings for local churches, allowing them to reduce their utility bills and, in turn, invest more in community programs.

Phillips hopes he can help the public begin to view energy conservation and efficiency as necessary solutions to both the climate and economic crises – solutions within their control.