KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The city of Kalamazoo has been looking into solar to supply its electricity needs, but won’t be able to do it on their own.
Sustainability coordinator Justin Gish says nearly half of the carbon created by the city is through its electrical energy use.
He says they could build their own, but it makes more sense to partner with Consumers Energy.
City utilities director Jim Baker says they investigated building their own solar gardens but there aren’t enough rooftops or vacant lots in the city to create the millions of kilowatts they use.
Consumers Energy’s Ryan Buchinger told commissioners that they don’t require any upfront costs, and the utility would build and maintain the industrial-sized solar farm.
Consumers Energy will retain its role as the electricity supplier, and the city can claim it’s using sustainable energy.
It was the first pitch of the program to commissioners, who may be asked soon to sign up.
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