TRAVERSE CITY -- Traverse City Light and Power is holding two public forums as the company makes a renewable power plan.

Light and Power wants to generate 30-percent of its electricity with renewable energy by 2020.

Wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass are all being considered as sources to reach the goal.

According to Ed Rice, Executive Director of L& P, "Employing local renewable power generation technologies, as well as energy efficiency, could reap many benefits for ratepayers and the community.  For example, it would keep up to $4 million in our community that is now spent on non-local coal generation and it would also generate jobs and give us more local control of electric rates.  That is the reason choosing local renewable resources if critical."

The first public forum will take place Thursday, February 25.   It starts at 7:00 p.m. at the City Opera House. (106 East Front Street).  Another forum will be held Saturday, February 27.  it will get underway at 2:00 p.m. at the Hagerty Center. (715 East Front Street).

On April 7, TCLP officials will give the public an overview of what was discussed at the forums and how they will move forward with the plan.  The April 7 meeting will focus on how different choices affect electric rates, environmental quality, jobs, economic growth and other measures of risks and benefits.

Traverse City Light & Power has more than 11,000 customers in Traverse City, Blair, East Bay, Elmwood, Garfield, Peninsula, and Paradise Townships.

More details can be found by clicking on THIS LINK.