Sterling Heights Sentry | Published April 23, 2023
STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights has rolled out the barrel on a new initiative to conserve water and make it easier for residents to improve their energy efficiency.
The newly branded initiative is an umbrella set of eco-friendly programs called Think Sterling Green. The city held an April 17 event to publicize two particular planks of that platform: rain barrel distribution and a Go Green Grants program that offers funds for home-based projects that promote clean or efficient energy usage.
During the event, Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor explained that the city started taking a serious look at its sustainability goals around two or three years ago. It established a Sustainability Commission to help it make progress toward sustainability.
“We’re not just trying to get to the finish line — it’s a new way of life for the city of Sterling Heights,” Taylor said.
The Go Green Grants are made possible with help from the nonprofit green bank Michigan Saves as well as an estimated $1 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Energy-efficient projects that qualify for these grants may include windows, roofing, HVAC systems, solar panels, water heaters and more. To qualify for a grant, a Michigan Saves-affiliated contractor must do the project work.
City officials said the grants come in three “levels”:
• The first level gives qualified residents up to $7,500 in funds for improvements, though the amount given depends on household income.
• The second level is open to residents who are ineligible for the first level; it covers 20% of costs up to $5,000.
• The last level gives homeowners access to “low-interest, unsecured loans” that can supplement the other level options.
City officials said residents may start seeking the grants May 1. During the event, Michigan Saves Director of Programs Todd Parker said he was excited to join forces with Sterling Heights on the effort.
“To my knowledge, Sterling Heights is … the first city in the state to invest their ARPA dollars in energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in the state,” he said.
City officials said ARPA money will also fund the distribution of an estimated 400 available rain barrels, made possible with help from MI Rain Barrel.
Officials said the 58-gallon barrels are designed to collect rain that falls off a roof and then store that water for watering lawns or gardens. An accompanying rain barrel kit includes anti-mosquito tablets.
The barrels will be given out June 2 at Sterling Heights City Hall, though people may sign up online for one ahead of time. The barrel itself is free for residents, though it costs $50 if qualifying residents want to have the city install it.
Taylor said, in the past, some residents have called the city to ask whether residents are even allowed to use rain barrels.
“So I think this is going to finally and definitively answer that question — of course you can,” Taylor said.
Prior to sharing the news about residents’ sustainability options, the Sterling Heights City Council and other local officials celebrated the city’s 38th straight year as an Arbor Day Foundation “Tree City USA” city by planting a redbud tree.
Learn more about the Go Green Grants program by visiting sterling-heights.net/2073/Go-Green-Grants. Learn more about acquiring a rain barrel by visiting sterling-heights.net/rainbarrel. For other questions, call (586) 446-2489.