Energy Efficiency in State Buildings

Summary

Recent Measures (2020)

On September 23, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Directive 2020-10 which increased the requirements of emissions and energy use reductions in Michigan state-owned buildings. As per this directive, The Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) must investigate the cost effectiveness of energy efficiency opportunities when planning or renovating a building owned or operated by the state. DTMB must ensure that:

• All new buildings and facilities owned and operated by the State, and all major renovations of such buildings and facilities, are carbon neutral by 2040; and
• All existing buildings and facilities owned and operated by the State reduce energy use by 40% by 2040.
  

History

In April 2005, Michigan’s governor signed Executive Directive No. 2005-4 establishing an energy savings target for all state buildings managed by the Department of Management and Budget (DMB) or other departments within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of state government. The directive set a target of 10% reduction in energy use by the end of 2008 and 20% reduction in grid-based energy purchases by the end of 2015, as compared with energy use and purchases in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002. The directive also contained provisions requiring state agencies to purchase energy efficient products or equipment, and use green building practices in new construction.

In January 2007, Executive Directive 2007-06 required the DMB to develop a plan to further reduce energy use by departments and agencies within the executive branch by at least 10% as compared to energy use during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. This additional requirement did not affect the various other requirements and goals authorized under Executive Directive 2005-04.

Executive Directive No. 2007-22, signed in November 2007, rescinded the previous directives in their entirety, but maintained the energy use reduction goal, the grid-based energy purchases reduction goal, and energy efficient product procurement provisions described above. Green building guidelines for new state construction were retained in a slightly modified form.

In October 2008, the Michigan legislature enacted a series of bills addressing several components of the state’s energy markets. Among the enacted laws was Public Act (P.A.) 295, which renewed and revised the state’s commitment to energy efficiency in state facilities that had previously been addressed under several Executive Directives. The new law also created a state renewables portfolio standard (RPS), revised the state’s net metering law, and provided for the formation of the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board to investigate state wind resources, electricity transmission and siting issues. In the area of state government energy efficiency, P.A. 295 sets a goal of reducing state government grid-based energy purchases 25% by 2015 compared to a 2002 baseline. This was later updated and expanded by Executive Directive 2020-10.