Tips For Starting Energy Efficient Programs In Communities

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago at 12:00 am . 0 comments

Communities all over the nation have public buildings and other systems badly in need of modernization. What better place to start a green retrofit program than from within the communities themselves? Making local government buildings less of a drain on the power grid also saves taxpayer money in the form of reduced utility costs. Mostly, these retrofits focus on power-saving lights, solar water heaters, solar ventilation systems, and energy monitors that watch for waste.
For a true grass roots movement, collecting signatures from local residents willing to participate in an efficiency program can turn a concerned citizen into a civic activist. Organizing a rebate program for residents and businesses to purchase energy-efficient equipment can make a difference in a community-s power consumption. Checking with the local utility company may provide some ideas about programs they may already be promoting.
Rockdale County in Georgia has taken this approach a step further and will train city planners to work with homebuilders and developers on revisions of the building code to include efficiency measures. With only three percent of the money for the program going to the administration of this visionary mission, the grant for the project appears to be tax money well spent.
Block grants for these and other green programs are available as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Communities in America can organize to develop a strategy for reducing their power consumption using efficient technology and conservation. The activities approved for use of the funds include the above measures and also recycling programs and improved street lighting and traffic signals.
In 2002, the federal building in Binghampton, NY became the first in the United States to convert to 100 clean, sustainable wind power. The more citizens who band together and demand more efficient use of the energy that is taxpayer subsidized, the better the chance the nation has for a greener future.