Archived News Release: March 20, 2023 - Ann Arbor City Council
approved a resolution at its March 20 meeting that empowers the administrator
to work with DTE, and other
interested utilities, to begin initiating a responsible, careful transition to
renewable energy for heat in Ann Arbor.
A central part of the city's A2ZERO goal is becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and that means implementing clean renewable energy choices to heat homes and businesses.
The City of Ann Arbor's fossil fuel gas franchise with DTE Gas is set to expire in 2027.
“Ann Arbor residents are demanding energy that is clean, affordable, reliable, safe and healthy," said Mayor Christopher Taylor. “Negotiating a new franchise is a logical step consistent with the wishes of Ann Arbor voters who overwhelmingly passed a proposal in November to provide more clean energy choices and reduce dangerous pollution. Using clean, renewable energy to heat our homes and businesses will improve public health, reduce dangerous pollution that causes asthma, cancer and lung diseases, and save lives."
Fossil fuel gas alone produces more than 25 percent of Ann Arbor's polluting emissions making efforts to clean this stream critical to meeting the City's goal of community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030.
“We believe that no person should have to sacrifice their health and safety, or the wellbeing of their local community, to heat their home and business," said Jen Eyer, Ann Arbor City Council Member. “That's why we are committed to transitioning to cleaner energy sources that significantly reduce dangerous pollution, while improving the reliability, resilience, safety and affordability of the city's energy. What we do in Ann Arbor to transition to clean, renewable energy can serve as a model for communities across the country."
See the Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Begin Negotiating a New Natural Gas Franchise online.
Listening sessions and a request for ideas are being planned so community members can provide input to the city as it negotiates its heating franchise. Dates for listening sessions will be announced in the future. In the meantime, community members can visit the city's website for more information about the gas franchise or email ideas or questions to [email protected].
