Efficiency upgrades by DTMB lower energy costs by $53 million, build on statewide efforts to become carbon-neutral by 2050  

Lansing, MI – On Oct 7th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) has reduced energy consumption in state buildings by 59% to date. The reduction has saved taxpayers $53 million in potential energy costs in state buildings alone. 

“By taking action to implement the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, we have saved taxpayers $53 million and reduced energy consumption of state buildings by 60%,” said Governor Whitmer. “As the Great Lakes State, we must take bold actions to protect our environment, economy, and public health so we can leave behind clean air and water for future generations. Our goal to combat climate change and achieve statewide decarbonization by 2050 is ambitious, but thanks to our efforts and steady progress, I know we can get it done. I will work with anyone to improve energy efficiency, reduce wasteful consumption, and save taxpayer dollars. Together, let’s pursue a clean energy future while lowering costs and creating jobs.” 

The governor announced the MI Healthy Climate Plan in September 2020 as an effort to protect the state’s environment, promote clean energy goals, and put Michigan on the path towards becoming fully carbon neutral by 2050. As part of the plan, Executive Directive 2020-10 charged DTMB with lowering energy intensity in state buildings by 40% by 2040.  

“One of our goals at DTMB is to be good stewards of state resources and taxpayer dollars, so our team was up to the challenge when it came to putting the Mi Healthy Climate Plan into action for state government,” said Michelle Lange, acting director of DTMB. “Thanks to our team’s creative problem-solving and innovative use of available technologies, we were able to develop a number of energy-saving initiatives that have allowed DTMB to achieve remarkable success in reducing our carbon footprint and saving millions of dollars.” 

To establish a baseline for energy usage, DTMB tracked electricity usage in 38 of the state buildings it has managed since 2005. In 2019, for example, DTMB reduced energy usage by 13 million kWh, equaling $1.2 million in savings. In 2020, DTMB reduced energy usage by 6 million kWh, equaling an additional $600,000 in savings. DTMB has achieved its successful energy reduction program thanks to the following initiatives: 

• A cogeneration system that was completed at the state’s Secondary Complex accounts for approximately 30% of portfolio-wide savings. 
• LED conversion in 85% of all lighting fixtures in DTMB-managed facilities and plans to convert all others in the near future. 
• The incorporation of Advanced Lighting Controls (ALC) technology into recent LED conversions, which saves an additional 30% in the energy use over LEDs. 

• The establishment of the Michigan Building Intelligence System, an energy controls platform that enables remote monitoring and management of building systems. 
• Conducting building energy audits on all DTMB facilities to identify opportunities for energy efficiencies that the DTMB trades team then enacted. 
• The use of Smart Metering technology to provide real time data and allow DTMB to track actual energy usage at each individual DTMB facility. 

“Our efforts to reduce energy consumption and pursue clean energy alternatives have become part of our culture at DTMB,” said Lange. “I’m proud of our team for taking the initiative to keep pursuing ways we can reduce our carbon footprint, and, as a lifelong resident of Michigan, I’m proud that Governor Whitmer is doing everything she can to promote a healthy environment in our state.”