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The Grand Rapids Police Department is set to connect to Vicinity Energy's downtown steam district, contributing to the city’s goal of achieving 100% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2040. The $1.1 million project, approved by the City Commission on December 16, replaces natural gas systems with steam heating at the police building located at 1 Monroe Center St.

This addition will lower emissions and maintain affordability in installation and operation. Vicinity Energy, which serves over 120 buildings in downtown Grand Rapids, plans to launch a 9-megawatt electric boiler by June, expected to reduce fossil fuel emissions by 30% using renewable electricity from a solar partnership with Consumers Energy. This system will save the city approximately $38,000 annually in heating and cooling costs and is part of a broader effort to reduce municipal emissions by 85% by 2030.