Holland City energy team reaffirms 70% carbon-intensity cut by 2030, pushes local solar pilots and new REC strategies

HOLLAND CITY — The Community Energy Plan Strategic Development Team on Sept. 10 reaffirmed its 2021 target of achieving a 70% reduction in carbon intensity for Holland Electric by 2030 and discussed a suite of near‑term strategies to reach it, including local solar and battery pilots, renewed REC purchases and product options for large corporate customers.

Joel Davenport, who led the presentation, told the committee the target remains "achieving 70% reduction from 2005 levels in carbon emissions from electric production by 2030," and said the utility has reached roughly a 56% reduction to date. Davenport said incoming solar projects and Bell River’s planned conversion from coal to natural gas are expected to help narrow the remaining gap, but he warned that factors outside local control — MISO queue timelines, federal tax‑credit changes and the…