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Coalition’s Powershift Block Party a Success To Build On

  • Writer: GR Climate Coalition
    GR Climate Coalition
  • Nov 2
  • 2 min read

Thanks to elected officials R-L: Commissioner Morales, State Rep. Grant, City Commissioner Kilgore, and County Commissioner Pachla for attending the Powershift Block Party and supporting utility accountability.
Thanks to elected officials R-L: Commissioner Morales, State Rep. Grant, City Commissioner Kilgore, and County Commissioner Pachla for attending the Powershift Block Party and supporting utility accountability.

On a warm Saturday, September 27th, GR Climate Coalition hosted the Powershift Block Party with collaborative partner Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN) and coalition member Urban Core Collective (UCC). Coalition member Michigan League of Conservation Voters (MLCV) also supported the event.


The event drew attention to skyrocketing energy costs and called for utility accountability to protect Michiganders from skyrocketing energy costs, long shutoffs, exorbitant CEO salaries and more. 


This community event was held at Baxter Community Center in Grand Rapids and featured organizer tabling, a storytelling booth, face-painting, music by DJ Venus Fly Trap, and free tacos from the Tacos el Tigron taco truck. 


Local and state elected officials joined GRCC’s Co-Chair Janet Zahn, UCC’s Climate Justice Catalyst Sergio Cira-Reyes, and MiCAN’s Executive Director Denise Keele to speak about the need for utility accountability as a climate justice issue. State Rep. Kristian Grant, Kent County Commissioner Nancy Morales, and City Commissioner Marshall Kilgore joined community advocates to break down causes and effects of high energy bills and highlighted the importance of reining in utility bills for Michiganders. 


Michiganders pay the highest energy costs in the Midwest for some of the worst service in the country.* Legislation is needed to protect consumers in Michigan from the state’s monopoly utilities, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.


The team from sponsoring member Urban Core Collective engages residents on their utility bill stories.
The team from sponsoring member Urban Core Collective engages residents on their utility bill stories.

The lively block party-style event was well attended by longtime environmental advocates as well as neighbors and families of the Baxter neighborhood. 


With its partners, GR Climate Coalition looks forward to future advocacy opportunities to deliver greater utility accountability. The Coalition also looks forward to more community events in 2026 to mobilize collective power and catalyze community involvement in key climate arenas. 




*More resources:


 
 
 
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