The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities will host a free community event focused on "climate change hope and clean energy leadership" with Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe tonight (Wednesday) at the State Theatre as part of this week's Michigan Clean Energy Conference.

The event will take place from 5pm to 6:30pm and feature Poppe sharing her personal and professional story, which led to a zero-coal corporate commitment at one of the nation’s biggest utilities. Traverse City Commissioner and Traverse City Light & Power Board member Tim Werner will also discuss what it took for the city and its municipal-owned utility to be the first in Michigan to commit to 100% clean energy for city operations by 2020 and for all of Traverse City by 2040.

Cherry Republic founder Bob Sutherland will also be a featured speaker and will discuss why his company has committed to 100% renewable energy and discuss why companies need to take the lead in catalyzing climate solutions.