Undaunted in Michigan

1,427,386 students

3,510 public schools

238 million square feet of school buildings

In Michigan, state and school district leaders, advocates, and community members are making inspiring progress to ensure every student learns and thrives in a healthy, safe, climate-resilient school.

Undaunted is working across the state to help connect school district leaders with state programs and teams to advance this work.

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Exploring the role of schools in advancing Michigan’s climate goals at the annual Energy Innovation Business Innovators Conference
Exploring the role of schools in advancing Michigan’s climate goals at the annual Energy Innovation Business Innovators Conference

Michigan has ambitious climate goals. Across the state, schools, municipalities, and businesses are working to meet these goals; strengthening resilience, reducing emissions, and creating local jobs and boosting economic prosperity in the process. At the 14th annual MI Energy Innovation Business Innovators conference, we shared about the exciting initiatives schools across the Midwest are leading to make this happen.

Michigan leaders are ready to invest in healthy, resilient schools
Michigan leaders are ready to invest in healthy, resilient schools

Across the state in Michigan, communities approved $2.37 billion in school bonds, many focused on long-overdue infrastructure upgrades. And with Elective Pay, districts can get up to 50% of eligible project costs back when they invest in energy-efficient ground-source heat pumps and other energy-efficient technologies.

How are school districts funding critical facilities upgrades? Leaders in MI, KY, and WI share their strategies at ASBO International
How are school districts funding critical facilities upgrades? Leaders in MI, KY, and WI share their strategies at ASBO International

This October at ASBO International's Conference and Expo, Undaunted participated in two sessions alongside district leaders who are leveraging federal energy tax credits to pay for critical building upgrades.

Supporting Michigan schools on the path to healthier, more efficient buildings
Supporting Michigan schools on the path to healthier, more efficient buildings

In October, Undaunted met with the Michigan Office of Critical Infrastructure’s Elective Pay Ambassadors to share strategies for connecting with school districts pursuing energy upgrades. We provided guidance on how ambassadors can identify projects eligible for Elective Pay, engage with and support districts navigating the process.

Latest Updates

Featured
Exploring the role of schools in advancing Michigan’s climate goals at the annual Energy Innovation Business Innovators Conference
Exploring the role of schools in advancing Michigan’s climate goals at the annual Energy Innovation Business Innovators Conference

Michigan has ambitious climate goals. Across the state, schools, municipalities, and businesses are working to meet these goals; strengthening resilience, reducing emissions, and creating local jobs and boosting economic prosperity in the process. At the 14th annual MI Energy Innovation Business Innovators conference, we shared about the exciting initiatives schools across the Midwest are leading to make this happen.

Michigan leaders are ready to invest in healthy, resilient schools
Michigan leaders are ready to invest in healthy, resilient schools

Across the state in Michigan, communities approved $2.37 billion in school bonds, many focused on long-overdue infrastructure upgrades. And with Elective Pay, districts can get up to 50% of eligible project costs back when they invest in energy-efficient ground-source heat pumps and other energy-efficient technologies.

How are school districts funding critical facilities upgrades? Leaders in MI, KY, and WI share their strategies at ASBO International
How are school districts funding critical facilities upgrades? Leaders in MI, KY, and WI share their strategies at ASBO International

This October at ASBO International's Conference and Expo, Undaunted participated in two sessions alongside district leaders who are leveraging federal energy tax credits to pay for critical building upgrades.

Supporting Michigan schools on the path to healthier, more efficient buildings
Supporting Michigan schools on the path to healthier, more efficient buildings

In October, Undaunted met with the Michigan Office of Critical Infrastructure’s Elective Pay Ambassadors to share strategies for connecting with school districts pursuing energy upgrades. We provided guidance on how ambassadors can identify projects eligible for Elective Pay, engage with and support districts navigating the process.

Elective Pay Recipients
Ida Public Schools in Michigan receives a $3,577,160 check!
Ida Public Schools in Michigan receives a $3,577,160 check!

Ida Public Schools celebrated the receipt of a $3,577,160 check for ground-source heat pumps installed at the Ida Middle/High School. The district worked with Veregy on the project.

Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan receives a $572,000 check!
Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan receives a $572,000 check!

Ann Arbor Public Schools celebrated the receipt of a $572,000 reimbursement check for installing rooftop solar arrays at Scarlett Middle School, Tappan Middle School, Pioneer High School, and Westerman Preschool and Family Center.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Michigan receives a $90,000 check!
Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Michigan receives a $90,000 check!

Washtenaw Intermediate School District celebrated the receipt of a $90,000+ reimbursement check for installing a solar energy system at High Point School. The district worked with Homeland Solar and CMTA on the project.

Meet the Michigan schools leading on energy tax credits and Elective Pay

Featured
Ida Public Schools in Michigan receives a $3,577,160 check!

Ida Public Schools celebrated the receipt of a $3,577,160 check for ground-source heat pumps installed at the Ida Middle/High School. The district worked with Veregy on the project.

Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan receives a $572,000 check!

Ann Arbor Public Schools celebrated the receipt of a $572,000 reimbursement check for installing rooftop solar arrays at Scarlett Middle School, Tappan Middle School, Pioneer High School, and Westerman Preschool and Family Center.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Michigan receives a $90,000 check!

Washtenaw Intermediate School District celebrated the receipt of a $90,000+ reimbursement check for installing a solar energy system at High Point School. The district worked with Homeland Solar and CMTA on the project.

Resources

Ida Public Schools Brings Cooling to Classrooms and $3.6M Back to a Rural Community

Download the case study to learn how district leaders from Ida Public Schools worked with the community on a solution to modernize its failing HVAC systems with ground-source heat pumps—adding air conditioning and supporting local skilled trades jobs in the process—all without asking voters to approve new debt.

Frequently Asked Questions on Ground-Source Heat Pumps in Michigan Schools

Have questions about ground-source heat pumps? This resource provides answers to common questions about the technology; including how it works in Michigan’s climate, maintenance, feasibility, costs, and funding available through energy tax credits to help offset installation costs.

Questions? Reach out to us!

Kristen Hengtgen
Program Director, Upper Midwest