Ann Arbor is moving forward on programs to further its Climate Action Plan goals, which include reducing community greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2050.
The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve an $85,000 contract with the nonprofit Clean Energy Coalition for community climate and energy program work.
The “community” part denotes that the city is moving beyond its own municipal walls and trying to encourage sustainable behavior in the broader community, including in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Nate Geisler, the city’s energy programs analyst, and Matt Naud, the city’s environmental coordinator, indicated in a memo to council that the CEC will provide support to continue projects that were initiated using federal funds that have since expired, as well as other emerging initiatives aimed at keeping the city at the forefront of innovation in sustainability at the municipal and community levels.
That includes promoting energy efficiency in the city’s commercial and multi-family building stock — the thinking being that money residents and businesses save will stay in the local economy, providing both economic and environmental benefits.
The council’s resolution mentions plans to continue efforts related to “greening” rental housing in Ann Arbor.
The CEC also will continue community solar work and develop a model for expanding private investment in solar power for those residents and businesses that might not be able to install the technology on their own properties. Read more.