Carla Branch
alexandrianews.org
The city of Alexandria will receive $1.37 million federal stimulus grant for energy conservation. ”This is a big win for Eco-City Alexandria and our efforts to make Alexandria a leader in conservation. This is one reason we did the eco-city charter and action plans, ” said Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupika. “This money will put Alexandrians to work, help our economy and help our environment. The energy savings will help us long after the recession is over.”
The City applied for this competitive grant in June. As part of the grant application the city also submitted an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy outlining how the City intends to use the allocated funds, if provided by the federal government. The funds will be used for such projects as energy conservation and energy audits, revolving loan program for green technologies, LED conversions of street lamps and traffic lights, development of a virtual Green Building Resource Center/Program, expansion of the City’s green vehicle fleet, and training for green jobs.
Energy Conservation Program / Energy Audits: This is an energy efficiency and conservation project. The project involves the assessment of energy consumption at City facilities, evaluation of energy efficiency measures at City facilities and the development of strategies to target high-consumption facilities. Overall program goal is to make City facilities more energy efficient. Funding would allow for the accelerated implementation of these strategies. The City will use funds for its FY 201 1 energy conservation program, which remains unfunded due to fiscal constraints. The City’s energy conservation program will be used to conduct employee education, develop measurement and verification protocols, identify and implement energy efficient technologies.
Green Revolving Loan Program: The City is currently evaluating a variety of innovative financing mechanisms to develop a revolving loan program. Revolving loan programs provide sources of money from which loans are made for installation of green technologies such as energy efficient windows, weatherization, or solar panels. Energy audits may also be a component of this program.
Street Light & Traffic Signal LED Lamp Conversion – Phase I: The City will use funding to retrofit traffic and street lights with energy efficient, LED technology. Use of LED technology results in lower operating and maintenance cost.
Renewable Energy Program: The City will evaluate feasibility of renewable energy technology at City facilities and install renewable source of energy at one of the City facilities. The technologies currently being considered include solar, wind and geothermal.
Green Buildings Phase 2: Funding will be utilized for the development of a virtual Green Building Resource Center/Program targeted at reducing water and energy use in existing residential and commercial buildings.
Green Fleet: The City will expand its existing green fleet program. Grant funds will be used to fund the incremental costs of the hybrid vehicles, thus leveraging City’s existing resources.
Green Jobs Training for Weatherization TechniciansIEnergv Auditors: Funds will be used to provide technical training to local residents in support of development of Green Jobs workforce and in process supporting City’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation efforts through Weatherization and Energy Audits.
Technical Consultant Services: Technical consultants will assist the City with program implementation, management, and reporting activities. Services may include, but are not limited to, conducting energy audits, green jobs training, etc.
