The Alliance to Save Energy and the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan co-hosted the latest Energy 2030 On the Road campaign event in Ann Arbor, Michigan today. The On the Road series is a state and local campaign to galvanize action at the local, state and regional levels by engaging stakeholders in a national, shared commitment to achieving the Energy 2030 goal of doubling energy productivity by the year 2030.

In Ann Arbor, Blau Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus was crowded with over 100 industry insiders in attendance, with countless others following Detroit Public TV’s live web stream of the event. Governor Rick Snyder and Mayors John Hieftje and George Heartwell provided keynote addresses, and local policymakers, advocates and stakeholders were featured on panels discussing the three pillars supporting the Energy 2030 recommendations: education, investment, and modernization. Outlining the important role local government plays in reaching a goal like doubling U.S. energy productivity, local business and civic leaders also stressed the importance of community involvement and citizen advocacy.

“I am proud to have been the first policymaker to adopt the Energy 2030 goal, and I enjoyed discussing the importance of energy productivity with my own community. By motivating other Michiganders to take the Energy 2030 pledge, today’s event will create more jobs and reduce consumer energy costs among other benefits,” said Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje. National adoption of the Energy 2030 goal could save Americans $327 billion annually, add 1.3 million jobs to the economy, and reduce carbon emissions by 33%.  

Andrew Hoffman, Faculty Director of the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan spoke about the intersection of business, government, NGOs and public policy, noting that "the relationships between these sectors is complex, but the Energy 2030 campaign brings representatives from all of these groups together to ensure that all perspectives are considered. It is with this holistic approach that we will affect real change in our energy productivity.”

The event in Ann Arbor builds upon previous stops in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas to lay the groundwork for local policymakers to adopt energy efficiency practices. “Michigan has proven its prioritization of energy efficiency through policy and practice and I look forward to continuing the effort until policymakers and leaders in all 50 states are engaged and committed to doubling energy productivity,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan.

The Energy 2030 on the Road campaign will continue touring major cities across the country over the next few months, culminating in an official launch at the Alliance’s EE Global Forum May 20-21 in Washington, D.C.