Interlochen Center for the Arts to power 30% of campus operations with Michigan-sourced renewable energy
The arts education and presentation organization will participate in the Consumers Energy Large Customer Renewable Energy Program as part of its ongoing efforts to create a greener, more sustainable community.
Interlochen Center for the Arts has pledged to power nearly one-third of its campus operations with clean energy through the Consumers Energy Large Customer Renewable Energy Program.
The ten-year commitment is part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to create a greener, more sustainable community. Through the program, 30% of Interlochen’s annual energy usage will be sourced from Consumers Energy’s Michigan-based renewable energy projects. Interlochen’s action is the catalyst for Consumers Energy to develop a new solar project, and their subscription will begin once the project is operating.
“We’re thrilled to bring clean, renewable energy to our campus,” said Trey Devey, President of Interlochen Center for the Arts. “Since our founding, Interlochen has been committed to protecting and preserving the natural beauty of our lakes and forests. Powering our campus with Michigan-made clean energy is an important next step in our sustainability journey, and we’re proud to be a part of Consumers Energy's Renewable Energy Program in their efforts to create green power for all of Michigan.”
“Consumers Energy is excited to provide clean energy for Interlochen—another visible commitment from a leading Michigan institution,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience. “We are proud to see Michigan businesses lead by making clean energy pledges that will boost our state’s prosperity and protect the planet.”
In 2016, Interlochen’s Board of Trustees adopted a sustainability resolution, pledging to “create an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus” at Interlochen Center for the Arts. In the six years since, the organization has constructed a botanical lab and community garden; initiated campus-wide recycling and composting programs; installed water-saving appliances and restroom fixtures; established sustainability education programs for Interlochen students and members of the local community; and donated thousands of pounds of organic fruits and vegetables to the local food pantry at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In 2019, the United States Department of Education designated Interlochen Center for the Arts a Green Ribbon School in recognition of the organization’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact, improve the health and wellness of its students and staff, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education. Later this year, Interlochen will also release its first-ever formalized climate action plan, which will outline further steps toward mitigating climate change and reducing the institution’s carbon footprint.
Michigan’s largest energy provider, Consumers Energy provides energy to 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents. As part of its industry-leading Clean Energy Plan, Consumers Energy plans to close all of its coal-fired power plants by 2025 and become carbon neutral by 2040. Its Renewable Energy Program offers businesses a flexible solution to achieve their sustainability goals while advancing the greening of Michigan’s power grid and supporting Michigan jobs by building and operating renewable energy resources.
