Holland Energy Fund Wins Governor’s Energy Excellence Innovator of the Year Award

Media Contact: Ashley Kimble, Holland Board of Public Works (616) 355-1576

http://hollandenergyfund.com/

October 20, 2017, Holland, MI – Holland Energy Fund, a nonprofit corporation that supports Holland’s long-range Community Energy Plan, was recognized as “Innovator of the Year” at the Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards (GEEA) for its energy waste reduction achievements.
Holland Energy Fund was one of eight winners announced by Gov. Rick Snyder and honored at a ceremony in Detroit on October 19.
“Holland Energy Fund was incorporated as a non-profit in 2015 and supports the Holland Community Energy Plan, a 40-year path to the city becoming a world-class leader in energy security, affordability, sustainability, and efficiency,” said Anne Saliers, community energy services manager, Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW).
To reach the goal, Holland Energy Fund’s Home Energy Retrofit Program offers a 10 percent rebate to City of Holland homeowners for investing in “deep” energy upgrades. It also offers low fixed-interest loans that residents can conveniently pay back on their Holland BPW electric bill.
“It’s the first on-bill financing program for improving home efficiency and comfort in Michigan,” said Mayor Nancy DeBoer, City of Holland. “As a City that prides itself on being forward-thinking, it’s truly special we’ve been awarded the Innovator of the Year award for pioneering these unique programs.”

Representing two of three Holland projects that are finalists for the Governor’s Energy
Excellence Awards are, in front, homeowner Nancy Kiernan and in back, left to right, Mayor Nancy
DeBoer, Holland Residential Energy Advisor Peter Boogaart, City Treasurer and President of Holland
Energy Fund Tim Vagle, and Holland BPW Community Energy Services Manager Anne Saliers.

The GEEA winners’ energy solutions ranged from improving existing structures with energy-efficient state-of- the-art heating cooling and lighting systems to constructing new buildings, all with a goal of reducing energy waste and improving overall sustainability.

“Reducing energy waste, along with ensuring energy reliability and advancing clean energy, is a key component of Michigan’s energy policy,” said the governor. “We’re proud of the steps taken by the individuals and organizations we’re honoring, because collectively they illustrate what can be done to reduce energy waste and save money, both of which strengthen Michigan’s economy.”
Nominations were made in one of eight categories celebrating differing ways in which energy efficiency can be achieved in the state of Michigan. The award categories include:
 Best Projects (commercial, residential, public, industrial/manufacturing, and agriculture)
 Innovator of the Year
 Contractor of the Year
 Best Communication or Education Program

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About the Governor’s Energy Excellence Award
The Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards honor Michigan individuals and organizations who have made reducing energy waste and implementing energy-efficient practices part of their everyday lives. The awards would not be possible without the support of the Department of Energy and the Michigan Agency for Energy through the Michigan Energy Office. Other sponsors include CLEAResult; Consumers Energy; Dow Chemical Company; DTE Energy; DNV GL; ICF;
ITC, a Fortis Company; and SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company.
For more information on the awards, go to www.mienergyexcellence.org. For winner and finalist photos and project descriptions, click on “Finalists.”