More than 87 Copper Country households have replaced failing boilers, furnaces and water heaters with new, energy-efficient models through the MI HOPE program.
The Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region, New Power Tour and MSHDA partnered to complete $1.3 million in projects, with $600,000 coming from grant awards. Additional support came from SEMCO’s Energy Waste Reduction Program, We Energies, DTE Energy and UPPCO.
New Power Tour, founded in 2006, encourages residents to adopt renewable energy and efficiency technologies for water and power. The organization continues to identify homes in need of upgrades across the region.
Residents interested in learning more about New Power Tour and the MI HOPE program’s impact in the Western Upper Peninsula can find details below.
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Since January 2024 New Power Tour has assisted 87 households in replacing old and failing boilers, furnaces and water heaters with new, energy-efficient models. The Klungness Foundation provided direct financial assistance, and also sponsored 65 home energy audits, which provide a road map for prioritizing home improvements.
Through its multi-year collaboration with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) under the MI HOPE initiative, New Power Tour, Inc. has augmented projects that insulate homes and replace roofs, doors and windows for people who know how fierce winter can be.
This partnership brought $596,306 to extend the total reach of MI HOPE’s $1,385,259.
This was made possible with SEMCO’s Energy Waste Reduction Program, WE Energies, DTE Energy, and UPPCO funds reserved for income-qualified households. These utility programs covered well over half the cost of HVAC installs. Both the Klungness Foundation and Copper Shores Community Foundation’s #Giving Tuesday Annual Fundraiser took care of the remaining financial burden for area recipients.
“Our biggest role has been the HVAC,” said Managing Director Melissa Davis. “Better to get to it sooner rather than later, because it’s no fun when it fries out in the middle of a blizzard. On behalf of NPT’s BoD and myself, I’d like to thank our partners for making
this specific support available.”
New Power Tour, Inc. expresses its deepest gratitude to all contributing partners for their continued investment in the future well-being of our neighbors.
For additional information about New Power Tour, Inc., please visit www.newpowertour.com or contact Melissa Davis, Managing Director,
melissa@newpowertour.com 906-281-5987.
About New Power Tour, Inc. Founded 2006, New Power Tour, Inc.’s mission is to increase the use of renewable, water and energy efficient technologies and support sustainable local economic development.
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