Notice
of Public Hearing and for Opportunity to Comment
The Clean, Renewable, and
Efficient Energy Act of 2008 requires electric utilities
in Michigan to develop and implement plans to:
-- Obtain at least
10% of the electricity furnished to retail customers
from renewable energy resources by 2015; and
-- Reduce
consumption of electricity by instituting energy
optimization measures such as providing incentives to
customers to use more energy efficient equipment and
devices and instituting other energy conservation
measures.
The City of Portland has
developed a proposed Renewable Energy Plan and a
proposed Energy Optimization Plan. Copies of the plans
may be accessed by clicking on the PDF files below.
A public hearing to
receive comments on the proposed plans will be held in
the City Council Chambers at 259 Kent Street, Portland,
Michigan on April 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Written comments may be
submitted to the City Clerk at 259 Kent Street,
Portland, Michigan 48875 not later than 4:00 p.m. on
April 20, 2009.
Written comments will be
sent to the Michigan Public Service Commission. A
summary of oral comments presented at the public hearing
will also be sent to the Michigan Public Service
Commission.
Portland Energy Optimization Plan U-15878
Portland Renewable Energy Plan U-15878
Are you wondering why
your property taxes are going up when home values are
going down?
If so,
click here for an
explanation.
Part Time Police Officer Position
The City of Portland Police
Department is accepting applications for a part time police
officer. For more information
click here.
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MSHDA
Offers Low-Cost Loans for Home Alternative Energy
Improvements
Qualified residents can increase energy efficiency and
lower utility bills
Income eligible Michigan homeowners may now borrow
up to $50,000 from the Michigan State Housing
Development Authority (MSHDA) Property Improvement
Program (PIP) to make energy efficiency improvements to
their homes. The program has added alternative energy
improvements such as geothermal furnaces, solar water
heating systems and windmills to a long list of
traditional improvements including insulation, upgraded
windows, indoor fireplaces, permanently installed
radiators, solar rooms permanently installed for use as
a sunroom or family room and energy-efficient
appliances.
Income eligible homeowners may have household
incomes of up to $65,000 and can borrow up to $25,000
with no equity and up to $50,000 with equity. Landlords
with eligible rent limits can borrow up to $100,000 or
$25,000 per rental unit. Interest rates are reasonable
at 4 percent, 6 percent, or 8 percent depending on
income, not the market. Loans can be amortized up to 20
years to make payments affordable.
For more information about PIP, visit the MSHDA
Web site at
www.michigan.gov/mshda and click on Home
Improvement, or call 517-373-8017. The toll-free number
for the hearing impaired is 800-382-4568.