General Motors(NYSE: GM) said today that it continues its manufacturing energy transition with the goal of a zero-emissions future. GM will build a utility-scale solar generation facility in Branch County, Michigan, and an accompanying Lake Iris solar project in St. Clair County. Both were developed by NorthStar Clean Energy with GM as the primary customer through a so-called virtual power purchase agreement.*

“GM plans to apply the renewable energy credits generated by these projects toward the emissions associated with electricity purchased for our manufacturing operations. GM has reduced operational emissions [known in greenhouse gas accounting as scopes 1 and 2 – AutoCrat] by 52% since 2018,” GM said in a release by Cassandra Garber, Chief Sustainability Officer.

GM Investing in Michigan Communities

“The value of Branch and Lake Iris extends beyond the electricity they will produce. The two projects together created more than 550 full-time local construction jobs during their development. Our renewable projects have generated nearly $2 billion in economic impact and support about 1500 construction jobs each year in communities across the U.S. where we live and work.”