Citizens Utility Board of Michigan joins statewide alliance for community solar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                
Sept. 9, 2021                                                   

Lansing, Mich. – The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Michigan, the state’s nonprofit residential utility ratepayer advocate, today joined the Michigan Community Solar Alliance (MCSA) and called for expanding consumers’ options to pursue community solar.

CUB of Michigan works on behalf of the state’s utility customers to ensure that citizens of the state pay a reasonable price for electricity and also benefit from the cleaner environment that comes with investments into renewable energy.  They joined MCSA to support House Bills 4715 and 4716, sponsored by state Reps. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton), that would allow customers access to more community solar projects across the state.

“The expansion of community solar would have a huge impact on the availability of affordable energy in Michigan, creating opportunities for utility customers to save money and making our energy supply more environmentally friendly,” CUB of Michigan Executive Director Amy Bandyk said.  “Community solar makes sense for Michigan and that’s why we joined MCSA and support this legislation.”

The addition of community solar across the state would help strengthen Michigan’s electric grid and save consumers money. More residents getting energy from community solar would result in less strain on the energy grid, which would benefit all utility customers.

“Community solar is a win-win for Michigan and that’s why this Alliance continues to grow,” said John Freeman of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, a member of MCSA. “As the legislature returns to the Capitol this fall, we urge action on community solar legislation that will benefit so many Michiganders.”

Community solar refers to a solar array located within a community where multiple customers can subscribe and receive credits on their utility bills for their share of the power that is produced, just as if the panels were on their own roofs.

More than 50 percent of American households don’t have access to solar power because they either rent, live in a multi-tenant building, have roofs unable to host a solar system, or live in a service territory of a utility that won’t allow it. Through community solar, people could be connected to a local solar installation who would provide subscribers with equal access to the economic and environmental benefits of solar generation. 

CUB of Michigan joins MCSA, which was formed in May 2021, as its 16th founding member. Other members include: 

●      Associated Builders and Contractors Michigan

●      The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter

●      Coalition for Community Solar Access

●      Ecology Center

●      Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association

●      MI Air MI Health

●      Michigan Conservative Energy Forum

●      Michigan Democratic Party – Environmental Caucus

●      Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council

●      Michigan Energy Options

●      Michigan Environmental Council

●      Michigan League of Conservation Voters

●      Michigan Municipal League

●      Sierra Club Michigan

●      Vote Solar Action Fund

For more information about the Alliance, visit www.micommunitysolaralliance.com.

###