Government Facilities Have Clean Energy Impetus

The Center for a New American Dream and Think Energy, a clean energy consulting firm, have partnered to offer pro bono assistance to three state, county, or city governments in the purchase of clean energy. The recipients will be chosen through an application process, which can be completed at the Center’s website.

A minimum requirement to consideration is that the government represents a minimum of 1 million killowatt-hours of electrical energy use annually. Furthermore, it must have political support and an appropriate level of funding for purchasing clean energy. Qualified candidates will be chosen that represent a diversity of geographic locations, jurisdiction sizes, scales of purchase (total MWh), and desired types of renewable energy products.

The three governments selected will receive a detailed evaluation of clean energy products available, including a review of costs and benefits, a look at case studies from other jurisdictions, and a practical timeline for concluding a purchase. Participating jurisdictions will also engage in direct consultations with the Responsible Purchasing Network, the Center’s initiative overseeing the program, and Think Energy.

“By establishing programs that reduce the use of energy generated with fossil fuels, jurisdictions are leading by example to influence larger markets and other institutions. We’re looking for a few governments willing to take the lead by shifting 25% of their portfolio to clean, renewable energy supplies. New technologies and existing incentives now make this practical,” says Chris O’Brien, director of the Responsible Purchasing Network.

Jurisdictions can apply by visiting the Center’s website. The deadline to submit the application is July 30, 2006.

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In other government and clean energy news, the U.S. Conference of Mayors voted last week to unanimously approve the resolution “Adopting the 2030 Challenge for All Buildings.” Sponsored by the mayors of Chicago, Seattle, Miami, and Albuquerque, the resolution was prompted by the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) position statement calling for the immediate energy reduction of all new and renovated buildings to one-half the national average for that building type, with increased reductions of 10% every five years so that all buildings designed by the year 2030 will be carbon neutral, using no fossil fuel energy. The full resolution can be viewed at the U.S. Conference of Mayors website.