Members of the Northwest Ottawa steering committee and consultant Michigan Energy Options presented a draft community energy plan to the Grand Haven City Council at a Nov. 4 work session, describing a regional framework of strategies meant to reduce greenhouse gases and help municipalities compete for outside funding.

Patty Nelson, a member of the city’s Sustainability and Energy Commission and the steering committee, said council previously incorporated sustainability into the city’s strategic planning and that the draft plan—branded the Northwest Ottawa Community Energy Plan—was designed so each municipality (Grand Haven, Ferrysburg and Grand Haven Township) can tailor strategies to local capacity.

John Kinch, consultant with Michigan Energy Options, summarized the plan’s decision inputs and tools: data analysis and modeling from 5 Lakes Energy; community input collected via surveys and open houses; and an investment-impact index that weights carbon reduction potential, cost effectiveness, co-benefits, time to impact and funding availability. Kinch said the index lets local officials compare “good, better, best” options for strategies such as residential energy retrofits, community-based solar and enabling policies.

Kinch highlighted buildings as a high-impact target in Michigan because recent state programs (including newly launched home energy rebates) increase funding availability for residential retrofits. He also said food- and waste-related measures punch above their weight: “Outside of energy, food waste is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases in the country,” Kinch said, and that food-waste reductions can be an important complement to electricity‑focused work.

Steering committee chair Gary Post and Ryan Cotton (city staff) described fundraising and local contributions: roughly $111,000 has been raised for plan development, with about half provided by local communities. The committee recommended steps to increase local capacity, including a grant-writing team and a sustainability coordinator or part‑time sustainability hire; presenters said some foundation funding may cover such a position.

Rob (Board of Light and Power representative) described the utility’s existing and planned programs. He said the Board of Light and Power (BLP) has increased renewables in its portfolio (about 24% renewable today, with a projected 28% the following year if contracts proceed) and has spent more than $11 million to shift from coal to wind and solar. Rob also reviewed utility energy-waste-reduction work — measures that reduce kilowatt-hour sales and help the utility reach state-mandated energy-efficiency targets.

Presenters discussed financing approaches. On-bill financing (a loan repaid via the utility bill) was described as one option, though speakers noted states and nonprofit lenders (for example, Michigan Saves) have introduced other programs that can serve similar purposes. John Kinch and Ryan Cotton said emerging federal and state programs—including funding made available through the Inflation Reduction Act—create new capital and tax-credit structures that can make deep energy retrofits and community solar projects more affordable.

Councilors asked questions about coordination between the community energy plan and the BLP’s utility-level programs. Presenters emphasized the two efforts measure different outcomes (a community plan treats greenhouse gases across the economy; the utility focuses on electricity and kilowatt-hours) and urged continued coordination so municipal policies complement, rather than conflict with, the BLP’s regulatory and reporting obligations.

Several council members praised the plan’s practical framing and urged staff to return with detailed, actionable steps and budget implications. No formal council action or ordinance was taken; staff and the steering committee were encouraged to bring recommendations back at a future regular meeting.