[EQAB-list] in re: Madeleine Weil

[Pat Imperato]

Quote for the referenced article:
"Another $62 million in state grants is available to local governments, as well as $456 million nationally in competitive federal grants, said Weil, who asked task force members for their help in coming months with writing grant applications"

Jim O'Connor, Can we tap into this?? I know the city has a grant person on staff.? Can we get information on what it would take to qualify for this stimulus grant?

Pat



Pat Imperato
131 Whippoorwill Dr.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830

865-272-3451 h
865-776-9248?c


-----Original Message-----
From: Robert G Kennedy III, PE <robot at ultimax.com>
To: eqab-list at discoveret.org
Sent: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 3:53 pm
Subject: [EQAB-list] in re: Madeleine Weil


Well, we'll see. I think a champion is not so dispensible.?
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here's the story from April 19:?
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Knoxville's energy task force gaining momentum?
By Hayes Hickman (Contact)?
Monday, April 20, 2009?
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The city of Knoxville's focus on energy efficiency has only gained steam in the year since its Energy & Sustainability Task Force last met.?
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The panel's latest meeting April 9 included updates on a recently completed six-month energy audit of all city-owned facilities, ongoing efforts related to Knoxville's national designation as one of 25 Solar America Cities and opportunities afforded by a flurry of new stimulus-funded federal and state grants aimed at energy savings.?
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In the midst of it all, Madeleine Weil, who has been given much of the credit for the city's energy-conscious push, announced that she has accepted a new job in Chicago and will be leaving at the end of the month.?
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"I think the city is moving in a new direction, and it's not often that you can point to one person for making that difference," said Weil's supervisor, Bill Lyons, senior director of policy and communications, who said the city will not lose any momentum moving forward.?
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Energy consultants with Ameresco Inc. said they have finished the tedious survey of energy usage among the city's 97 buildings, 47 parks and other facilities, amassing utility data for 645 accounts. A draft list of recommendations based on their findings offers everything from simple fixes such as tinted windows and swimming pool covers to larger capital investments, including boiler and HVAC replacements, solar power panels and a bio-gas generator plant to help fuel the city's transit bus fleet.?
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Ameresco's John Plack said his team is developing a more detailed scope of construction work, with pricing estimates, for a long-term city contract.?
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The contract could run as long as 18 years, with the goal of reducing the city's energy usage by 15 to 25 percent. The city spends about $7 million per year in utility bills.?
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The agreement, which will require Knoxville City Council approval, would guarantee annual savings while paying Ameresco a negotiated portion of it.?
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"It has to fund itself in a certain amount of time," said Plack, who added that the work would give priority to local contractors. "We understand that these are local taxpayers' dollars."?
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Weil said Ameresco's draft report should be formally released on Earth Day, which is Wednesday, with public meetings to follow.?
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The city also recently was allocated $2.012 million under the federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The formula-based grants, calculated by population and energy use, include $2.1 million to Knox County. Detailed spending plans for the grants are due to the U.S. Department of Energy by June 25.?
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"The problem has never been, 'How do you spend a bunch of money?' " Weil said. "So this is a very interesting change of circumstances."?
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Knoxville and Knox County are considering pooling their resources to better leverage the funds, she added.?
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Outside the April 9 meeting, Knox County Community Development Director Erik Hoglund said any such plans would give priority to ongoing initiatives, such as home weatherization loan programs, rather than "one-off" projects.?
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"The concept is we could stretch $4.1 million a lot further," Hoglund said.?
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Another $62 million in state grants is available to local governments, as well as $456 million nationally in competitive federal grants, said Weil, who asked task force members for their help in coming months with writing grant applications.?
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"There's a lot of work to be done in a couple of months to make sure we seize these opportunities," she said.?
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Meanwhile, city officials, in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville Utilities Board and others, are advancing plans for a $200,000 Solar Cities grant from DOE, along with $250,000 worth of technical assistance. Projects include a 4.8-kilowatt solar power generator for the coming downtown transit center, installation courses for local contractors and an incentive program for businesses and individuals.?
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The city's goals are to increase local solar power usage tenfold by 2010 and hundredfold - to 3 megawatts - by 2015.?
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Hayes Hickman may be reached at 865-342-6323.?
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--Robert G Kennedy III, PE?
www.ultimax.com?
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