LANSING – Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth have launched a social networking site aimed at the clean, green and sustainable market in Michigan.

The Michigan Energy Efficiency Network (MichEEN) plants the seeds for a grassroots, online community to help local government, schools, businesses and other groups save time, money and energy.

Created to tackle the 21st century challenges of reducing energy use and finding alternatives, MichEEN is an interactive community that connects groups and people to each other for collaboration on energy strategies and solutions for Michigan. The goal is to link those who need energy advice, services and government assistance with each other and with organizations that provide it.

?This is social networking with an environmental conscience,? said David Poulson, associate director, Michigan State University Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. ?MichEEN serves as the engine that drives the sharing of knowledge and, over time, users share and develop energy solutions.?

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) has partnered with INgage Networks and Michigan State University College of Communications Arts & Sciences to create MichEEN, which was funded by a grant From the Low-Income and Energy Efficiency Fund, administered by the Michigan Public Service Commission, and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

MichEEN helps users save time, money and energy by:

Giving them the tools for strategizing successful grant acquisition;

Providing forums to ask questions and provide answers;

Sharing successful projects, cost-saving measures and the information needed to implement them elsewhere.

Providing space for far-flung participants to collaborate on projects and policies.

Helping like-minded groups and people identify each other for collaborative work

The effort comes while state government is under increasing pressure to efficiently deliver services.

?MichEEN offers the best of Government 2.0,? said Poulson. ?Bringing municipalities, schools, non-profit organizations, state agencies, businesses and others together to share and develop solutions is the future. It?s how we can, collectively, make a real difference in Michigan.?

Join the MichEEN community by clicking on MichEEN.Org

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