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Ann Arbor, Michigan Aids in Reducing Green House Emissions

After a three year study by Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, on the energy saving use of LED lights, Ann Arbor announced that they would go forward with installing the LED Street lights. Not only does installing these LED lights save electricity but it also reduces the greenhouse gas emissions by 2,425 tons or in layman's terms it's like taking 400 cars off the road a year.

The City of Ann Arbor's mission statement is: The City of Ann Arbor is committed to providing excellent municipal services that enhance the quality of life for all through the intelligent use of resources while valuing an open environment that fosters, fair, sensitive and respectful treatment of all employees and the community we serve.

Other cities utilizing the LED lights are Raleigh, N.C and Toronto, Canada. The installment will begin next month and will take two years to complete the actual project. Wow, each LED light fixture lasts approximately 10 years and will replace the normal 120- watt bulbs that lasts only 2 years.

If your wondering if you will be taxed on this great new perk for our city, the answer is NO.

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority gave the City of Ann Arbor a grant for $630,000 to fund the installation and conversion to the LED lights.

The City of Ann Arbor will save over $100,000 per year. But, the greatest news of all is the saving of our environment.

My congratulations to Mayor John Hieftje, whom is also a licensed Realtor in the Ann Arbor Board of Realtors, for once again being a visionary to Ann Arbor.

John is a staunch enviromentalist who has championed many projects to save the enviroment in Ann Arbor.

Posted by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate on 10/19/2007 08:48 AM

Comments (27)

ann arbor, michigan

This post has been included in Michigan Information Washtenaw County, MI Information Ann Arbor, MI Information
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27 Comments on Ann Arbor, Michigan Aids in Reducing Green House Emissions

Missy,

I beleive we too..have these lights installed...I never noticed it until I figured out how the signs were always lit up with no sign of electricity...I might be wrong but I want to check for sure it is LED oriented.

10/19/2007 08:58 AM

by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)

Missy, this is a great localism post. I'm glad to see Ann Arbor is on the ball! :)

10/19/2007 08:58 AM

by Kelly Sibilsky - Lake Zurich, IL RE/MAX Real Estate Agent (RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest)

Neal, I hope so. I got the other cities using it from the Cree web site you furnishes the lights, they only mentioned Raleigh and Toronto.

Kelly, thanks we are a very enviromentally friendly city.

10/19/2007 09:07 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Missy,

This is great News!!! Let's get the message out!!! Thanks, Fran

10/19/2007 09:18 AM

by Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ (Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.)

Missy - What an awesome mayor you have! Kudos to him for being proactive and helping our environment!

10/19/2007 09:19 AM

by Linda Scanlan (The Real Estate Referral Company)

Fran, appreciate your comment. Most everyone is thrilled.

Linda, John is a really great guy and loves Ann Arbor and it shows. Very approachable and down to earth.

10/19/2007 09:22 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Missy, This is great news for Ann Arbor, environmentally and financially.

10/19/2007 09:35 AM

by Camarillo CA Real Estate Agent/ Mana Tulberg (Beach View Real Estate)

Missy,

I think these lights are part of the new age. Good for your Mayor for taking a step in the right Direction..

Tom Weiss

10/19/2007 09:55 AM

by Thomas Weiss (Thomas R. Weiss)

Mana, think how much we could add to the enviroment if we all did a little.

Tom, thanks.

10/19/2007 11:15 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Missy~

My mother graduated from the U of M in Ann Arbor...she would say "a thousand years ago" ...and I am always interested, as she kept track, in the latest news around Ann Arbor...Reading your news about ECO + in A2 brought a smile to my face...especially since a REALTOR has opened the door on this opportunity!

10/19/2007 11:16 AM

by Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty

Missy,that is great that you have a mayor and thus a town that is looking at conserving energy. It sounds like you also have a couple of towns to look at that have already achieved success, sounds like a win, win.

10/19/2007 08:42 PM

by Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro ABR (Results Realty)

Missy,

I am glad to hear that Ann Arbor is working to save energy and the environment. If they save $100,000 and last 10 years they should pay for themselves.

10/19/2007 08:56 PM

by Rita Taylor | Sanford NC Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina (ERA Ammons Realty in Sanford, NC)

Life is good when something happens that actually saves the tax payer money and happy at the same time - thanks for the uplifting story

10/20/2007 01:29 AM

by Central Oregon Real Estate | Thesa Chambers, Broker (RE/MAX Sunset Realty La Pine)

Wouldn't it be wonderful if every city would adopt this plan? It's certainly a win/win for everyone!

10/20/2007 04:45 AM

by Kris Wales- Metro Detroit real estate agent-Chesterfield Twp-Macomb County MI (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Missy, It is great that we live in a place that values important things like helping reduce green house emissions. Thanks for this post because I missed this announcement.

Sometimes when offices/malls are chilled in the summer with too much AC, I think what are you doing? Don't you realize the wastefulness of too much AC? Oh well, it takes time but maybe we will all realize the little things really add up. A2 has it right!

10/20/2007 08:29 AM

by Karen Moorhead Ann Arbor Area Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty)

Missy~

Come to think of it, if you happen to have more information on Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, I sure would like to know more about him. It makes me smile to think that he is a REALTOR. ...and strong advocate of eco-friendly practices.

10/20/2007 08:35 AM

by Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty

janeAnne, Just Google him, lot of information on John and his career. He is even in Wikipedia. Did you and your mother ever visit here. Some things have never changed.

Karen, I do think Ann Arbor is always doing lots of innovative things first.

Marchel, Rita, Thesa, Kris, thanks for stopping by. Come visit us.

10/20/2007 09:10 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Missy, I love the good Karma I get from your posts.

10/20/2007 11:18 AM

by Lee Morof, Associate Broker/Attorney (RE/MAX Showcase Homes)

What a terrific program!! Way to go Ann Arbor, MI!!

10/22/2007 07:32 AM

by Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL | Susie Roscoe (Signature Realty Associates)

Missy - I saw this in the news and think it is an excellent program. The savings are great and the effect to the environment are needed. Glad to see Ann Arbor is so progressive!

10/22/2007 07:59 AM

by Mary Bigelow, Renewing Your Life! (Contractors Building Supply/Vandyke Mortgage)

Lee, your so funny,

Susie, isn't it great.

Mary, it is progressive in many things.

10/22/2007 06:05 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

By the title of your post I thought for sure your politicians had announced they were going to stop talking and releasing so much hot air! But, at least they are trying to do something.

10/23/2007 06:59 PM

by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Washington Co, Beaverton, Oregon) (Kastings & Associates, Oregon)

Missy- I am glad to know your mayor is going green with the LED lights. Every small step leads to bigger ones. Katerina

10/25/2007 12:21 AM

by Nestor & Katerina Gasset, Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.)

Missy~

I had offices in the A2 area ... the company I grew from the ground up (an executive search firm) was lucky enough to be a favorite of a number of high tech firms there...I visit Ann Arbor at least once a year when I'm in MI for family reunions...LOVE it!

10/25/2007 08:05 AM

by Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty

janeAnne, please let me know so I can take you to lunch !!

Katerina, thanks you're right every small step helps.

TODD, :) LOL not a chance.

10/25/2007 12:18 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Great post! I had the pleasure of hearing Mayor John Hieftje speakat a last years GLERA meeting in Ann Arbor. Other city should follow what he is doing for Ann Arbor.

10/25/2007 02:19 PM

by Eric Hughes "the green designer" (Image Design, LLC)

Cool ! Thanks for stopping in.

10/25/2007 06:20 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)