LANSING — Two Copper Country municipalities will receive some of nearly $500,000 in grants from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) for energy efficiency upgrades and other related projects.

“Reducing energy waste saves money, saves energy, makes us healthier and improves our environment all at once,” EGLE Director Liesl Clark said in a release. “Over half of EGLE’s budget goes out the door to invest in local communities. Climate solutions are local solutions, and these Community Energy Management projects are building stones as Michigan lays the groundwork to reaching its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.”

Local governments, public schools and other community organizations can use the Community Energy Management (CEM) grants to fund energy use assessments, comparative usage studies, upgrade lighting and climate control systems, add efficient building insulation, improve heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, participate in renewable energy projects or update municipal plans and ordinances.

Chassell Township received $15,000 for energy efficiency upgrades, while the Village of Ahmeek received $12,000 for the same purpose.