BATTLE CREEK, MICH.—FireKeepers Casino Hotel announces its pledge to sustainable business practices by joining the Renewable Energy Program offered by Consumers Energy. Through its enrollment in the program, FireKeepers Casino Hotel will not only source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable power sources but will also save over 273,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, reinforcing its dedication to clean and renewable energy sources for the next 20 years.
In a step towards environmental responsibility, FireKeepers has committed to match its energy consumption of approximately 31,527 megawatt-hours per year with clean, renewable energy sources. This substantial effort reduces Michigan greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking approximately 61,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road or recycling approximately 13,500 garbage trucks of waste instead of sending it to landfills.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, has been working to bring the state closer to a cleaner energy future through its Renewable Energy Program. This partnership marks a historic moment, as FireKeepers Casino Hotel becomes the first casino in Michigan to join the Renewable Energy Program. By doing so, FireKeepers leads the way in highlighting the importance of sustainable practices within the gaming industry and beyond.
“Joining this partnership is just one of the many ways FireKeepers is making significant strides towards a greener future, fostering an environmentally friendly approach to business operations,” said Frank Tecumseh, CEO at FireKeepers. “By embracing the latest in sustainable technology, FireKeepers is leaving behind our older solar panels and stepping into the future of sustainability.”
Commitment is Part of Statewide Effort
“Consumers Energy is excited to work with FireKeepers and other Michigan businesses that share our commitment to protecting the planet,” said Eric Clinton, Consumers Energy’s director of renewable products. “Their promise to be powered with clean energy will help develop new carbon-free energy sources here in Michigan.”
Businesses joining Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program agree to match energy they use with wind and solar energy that the energy provider develops in Michigan. Over two dozen employers are currently in the program.
According to a recent Data for Progress poll conducted in April 2023, a significant majority of Michiganders support a transition to a 100 percent clean energy electricity grid, with 61 percent of respondents in favor. Furthermore, a substantial 73 percent of Michiganders express their support for an increased share of electricity derived from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. FireKeepers’ dedication to the Renewable Energy Program aligns perfectly with these public sentiments and bolsters Michigan’s progress toward a greener, more sustainable future.
FireKeepers’ dedication to environmental responsibility aligns with its owners, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and the guiding Seven Generations Principal, which respect tradition and encourage sustainable futures by calling for accountability. FireKeepers is excited to be at the head of the sustainability movement and invites other businesses and organizations to join in this endeavor, collectively working towards a more environmentally responsible and sustainable Michigan.
