Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program
June 19, 2008
Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program – Background
Information
.
In 2006, as a part of the Mayor’s Green Energy Challenge, City
Council approved a resolution which promoted greater energy
efficiency and established a goal of 20% renewable energy by 2015
for the Ann Arbor community. In 2007 City Council approved “
Resolution Adopting Environmental Action Plan Principles and
Environmental Action Plan Goals”, which set forward such
principles as “City government is an important partner with
residents and businesses in our community with regard to our
environmental goals.”
Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program – DDA
Action
.
The Ann Arbor DDA undertakes “public investments that have the
greatest impact in strengthening the downtown area and attracting
new private investments.” As a strategy to meet this
goal and the Mayor’s Green Energy Challenge, the DDA created a
Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program for buildings located
within the DDA District (District map can be found on the DDA
website:
http://www.a2dda.org/downloads/DDAStreetMap.pdf)
The DDA has set aside $200,000 for this Energy Saving Grant
Program in 2008/09, and the intention is to distribute these funds
to as many locations as feasible or as there is
interest. The deadline for application for the first
round of grants is September 30, 2008. The program
consists of the following:
Phase
I. Energy audit of a downtown building or business space by
a contractor recommended by the City of Ann Arbor Energy Office,
followed by a consultation to determine the steps that could
be taken to reduce building energy use and costs.
Estimated cost for this phase is $2,500 - $4,000, to be fully paid
for by the DDA. A qualified energy audit must be
completed before eligibility for Phase II of this grant
program.
Phase II. Installation of energy-saving measures, which may
including such steps as new heating and cooling equipment,
installation of energy-efficient windows or calking, renewable
energy systems such as solar panels or geo thermal systems, etc.
etc. In this program phase, project costs will be
shared equally by the business/building owner and the DDA, up to
$20,000 each.
