CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
Michigan Energy Options (formerly Urban Options) has reached a milestone in our work: 40 years of being in business! MEO will be celebrating this achievement with a party at our headquarters in East Lansing on Thursday, June 14 from 4-8pm. Join us in celebrating! Enjoy food, drinks, and more with our current and former employees, volunteers, board members, executive directors, clients, contractors and friends.
Over the decades…
Our work has reached every county in Michigan and helped millions of people. View some of our highlights by clicking through our timeline.
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECTS”
Urban Options is born in 1978.
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECTS”
“The Energy House” is conceptualized in the late 1970s.
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECTS”
Early Urban Options staff and volunteers fashion a solar greenhouse as part of the first Energy House.
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECT”
The original house located on Linden Street. Next door to it is the second “Energy Demonstration House,” which is still the organization’s headquarters today.
The 1980s
A TIMELY MISSION THEN AND NOW
Urban Options defines its purpose and much of the work it would do in subsequent decades: energy efficiency, renewable energy, education and local sustainability. Services offered by Urban Options and remembered fondly by some people still today include a home and garden tool-lending program and a community library.
The 1980s
A TIMELY MISSION THEN AND NOW
For decades, the Pretty Shaky String Band holds weekly jam sessions at Urban Options.
The 1980s
REDUCE. REUSE. RELOCATE.
Despite the efforts of Urban Options staff and supporters, they, in fact, do not save the original house from the wrecking ball.
The 1980s
REDUCE. REUSE. RELOCATE.
Urban Options strikes a deal with the City of East Lansing to relocate the Dutch Colonial Revival house next door to its existing spot at 405 Grove Street. At the time, energy upgrades to this historic building include a passive solar addition, double-pane casement windows, insulation and eventually a solar roof.
The 1980s
REDUCE. REUSE. RELOCATE.
One of the early editions of The Sundial newsletter, November 1981.
The 1990s
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND CLASSIC COMPOST
Urban Options increasingly becomes known for introducing new energy-saving technologies into the marketplace—including compact fluorescent light bulbs. Back in the day, CFLs were more expensive than incandescent lights.
The 1990s
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND CLASSIC COMPOST
Urban Options is also known for teaching people how to do worm composting.
The 1990s
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND CLASSIC COMPOST
Urban Options cultivates the worm compost to help grow the flourishing garden.
The 1990s
THE FIRST SOLAR ROOF IN THE STATE
Urban Options is an early adopter and demonstration center for solar power, including its innovative solar roof in the late 1990s.
The 1990s
THE FIRST SOLAR ROOF IN THE STATE
Today this 2-kilowatt solar roof is still providing the building a source of clean, renewable electricity. Paired with an additional 1.2 kilowatts of solar panels added in 2011, nearly 40 percent of electricity needs are met on site.
The 2000s
NORTH AND A NAME CHANGE
In 2005, Urban Options opens an office in Marquette called Northern Options, becoming the first energy nonprofit to have a presence above the bridge.
The 2000s
NORTH AND A NAME CHANGE
Volume 26 of The Sundial newsletter announcing the Northern Options office in the Upper Peninsula.
The 2000s
NORTH AND A NAME CHANGE
In 2009, Urban Options and Northern Options undergo a name change to Michigan Energy Options, in part, to signify the expansion of work across the entire state.
The 2010s
THE GREENEST OF THE GREEN
In 2012, Michigan Energy Options achieves the greenest of designations for a green building: the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification.
The 2010s
THE GREENEST OF THE GREEN
Among the new features that earn the highest of certifications is a sustainable site design that includes a rain garden which helps to capture 80 percent of the storm water on site.
The 2010s
THE GREENEST OF THE GREEN
Current and former directors of Urban Options and MEO celebrate the LEED Platinum certification.
Share your story!
If you have a remembrance of working at or working with Urban Options/MEO, please share your story through the form below. We’ll be posting these stories, as they’re received, on this webpage.
When SEEDS was just a twinkle in its founders eye, a foundational meeting was held at Urban Options that led directly to submitting incorporation papers. Thanks for hosting!
-Sarna
What a treat it was for me to be able to visit Michigan’s premiere energy efficiency and renewable energy organization back in the late 70’s when a group of us were trying to duplicate the model in Flint, MI. Then I was double-blessed to revisit Urban Options in the early 90’s with my fellow classmates from our Western MI University Environmental Studies Program. My crown jewel moment happened in 2000 when the Board of Directors chose me to lead the next chapter of Urban Options history as the next Executive Director following LeRoy Harvey’s decision to complete his Masters degree at Michigan State University. Although I subsequently moved on at the beginning of 2004, I was so pleased to see the continued evolution of Urban Options/Michigan Energy Options, the increasingly visionary leadership, the spread to the “great U.P.”, and the enhanced programs addressing meaningful energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental stewardship principles. Congratulations to the great people who have made this journey long and more powerful than ever. Hats off to the past & present energy nerds of Urban Options/Michigan Energy Options!
-Patrick Hudson
In 1989, LeRoy Harvey hired me as a student assistant and I was soon promoted to coordinator of volunteers and public relations. The outdoor concert we coordinated to raise funds for the construction of the new environmental house was a time consuming, fun and a great achievement! The local politicians who spoke in support of environmental issues were amazing. Providing demonstrations and tours of Urban Options; and the mentorship from LeRoy and Aileen were invaluable experiences. Many environmental techniques learned I have shared with others. The crown of Urban Options is sharing information, embracing creativity, no fear and forward thinking. Congratulations Michigan Energy Options/Urban Options on 40 years of teaching, training, service and saving the environment!!
-LaTrece Cash
I learned so much as a volunteer with Urban Options during my time as a student in James Madison College at Michigan State University. It spurred my passion for sustainable urban communities. The house has always been amazing but its the people who made my experience so meaningful. Keep up the good work and happy anniversary! #MEOis40
-Dayne Walling
I took possession of my house in 1991. Before moving in, an energy audit by Urban Options was done… Thank you for being there for our State.
-Suzanne Love
Congratulations Michigan Energy Options on helping families to improve their household energy consumption for the past 40 years!!
-Peggy Vaughn-Payne
Too many memories to share… but I will always remember UO/MEO as a place of possibility… a place where ideas and innovation came alive… a place to learn about, practice, and discover eco-friendly behaviors and technologies… a creative space where people came together to share ideas and collaborate… a place always brimming with new faces, projects, visions, and excitement. The inspired and joyful people I met at UO and continue to meet through MEO give me much hope for the future — and appreciation for the past. I’m looking forward to the 50th and hope we can continue to capture these stories and network with former staff, interns, volunteers, board, members, and the many others related to this place — and harmonious, eco-abundant/green living.
-LeRoy Harvey