The Washtenaw County board of commissioners has taken an initial step to create a countywide Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The action – an initial vote to pass a notice of intent to form a PACE program – took place at the board’s Dec. 4, 2013 meeting, following about an hour of discussion.
The goal of PACE is to help commercial property owners finance energy improvements by securing financing from commercial lenders and repaying the loan through voluntary special assessments. The proposal entails joining the Lean & Green Michigan coalition and contracting with Levin Energy Partners to manage the PACE program. Andy Levin, who’s spearheading the PACE program statewide through Lean & Green, was on hand to field questions. State Sen. Rebekah Warren also spoke briefly during public commentary to support the initiative. She was instrumental in passing the state enabling legislation to allow such programs in Michigan. Read more.