Program: Unclassified salaries
|
Appropriation: |
Federal Funds: |
$551,400 |
|
|
Special Revenue Funds: |
$4,004,400 |
|
|
GF/GP: |
$1,059,900 |
|
|
Total: |
$5,615,700 [3] |
Program: Executive director programs
|
Appropriation: |
Special Revenue Funds: |
$1,720,200 |
|
|
GF/GP: |
$46,700 |
|
|
Total: |
$1,766,900 [4] |
Program Description:
This appropriation funds
Unclassified Salaries and Executive Director programs that provide support
services to the Director of Consumer and Industry Services. In other words,
they are the Director’s staff.
Recommended Action:
With the elimination of
approximately 14 percent of the Consumer and Industry Services budget (as
described below) comes the ability to downsize these appropriations
commensurately. This is an estimate only, and a detailed analysis of the
impact of program reductions is needed to determine the actual savings.
Savings: $1,033,564.
Program: Energy office positions
|
Appropriation: |
Federal Funds: |
$2,179,100 |
|
|
Special Revenue Funds: |
$ 476,500 |
|
|
Total: |
$2,655,600 [5] |
Program Description:
This appropriation funds the energy office positions. The Energy Office’s
functions include promoting energy efficiency among Michigan’s businesses,
public institutions, and residents. It distributes brochures on the efficient
use of lighting, heating, cooling and automobiles. It also advocates the use of
alternative fuels and “renewable” energy such as solar and wind power.[6]
Recommended Action:
The energy office should be eliminated. The private sector already has
sufficient incentive to maximize energy efficiency — its own self-interest.
The for-profit utility, DTE Energy Company, is constantly investing in new
energy-conserving products and services such as solar, biomass, and fuel-cell
technologies. [7] Such investments may enable DTE to reap greater financial
rewards for doing so. In addition, there are also nonprofit organizations that
work to help people conserve energy. Urban Options of Lansing, Michigan,
provides energy saving tips for lighting, windows, refrigerators and freezers,
water heating, cooking appliances and dishwashers, washers and dryers, and even
home computers. For a fee of $90, Urban Options will come to your home and
provide a Home Energy Check Up based on your home’s energy saving needs.
[8] Another nonprofit is the Community Foundation of Greater Flint,
which runs an “Energy Initiative Program” to ensure that nonprofits in the area
use energy wisely. [9] Savings:
$2,655,600.
