photo credit: Jan O'Connell
A city known for its sandy beaches, picturesque lighthouse and sunsets is now charting its path to become a sustainable city. Sustainable cities aren’t just a lofty goal of eco-enthusiasts and city planners but now a necessity for all cities and towns to fight against climate change.
In August 2021, long term community organizations convinced the Grand Haven City Council to place the pause button on a proposal to build a fossil-fueled gas plant near Harbor Island by the Grand Haven Board of Light & Power. Two days later the utility abandoned their plans.
Less than one year later due to pursuit and pressure by local activists, the Grand Haven City Council unanimously approved the establishment of a Sustainability & Energy Commission. Within one month, the newly appointed committee of nearly a dozen individuals, of which half were Sierrans and Grand Haven Energy Organization representatives, came together for their first official meeting to begin charting the course to move Grand Haven to a sustainable future.
Towards the end of summer, the Grand Haven Energy Organization was invited to participate in West Michigan Environmental Action Council's annual ‘Evening on the Lakeshore’ that was held on the banks of Lake Macatawa in Holland. This event was a chance for people from all along the lakeshore and surrounding areas to see the work of a half dozen or so dynamic organizations and what they are doing to protect this special and unique place. For more information and to get involved in sustainability issues and planning along the West Michigan Lakeshore email jan.oconnell@sierraclub.org or call 616-956-6646.