4650-17 Supporting Solarize South Bend

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Bill No. 17-40 RESOLUTION NO. ' GG `iT -17 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND SUPPORTING SOLARIZE SOUTH BEND AS A CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE the Common Council of the City of South Bend unanimously approved a resolution "In Support of a Reasonable Transition to Cleaner Sources of Energy for South Bend" on Sept. 12, 2016, calling for increased renewable energy for local residents, businesses, and organizations, and (A ,, solar energy systems installed by the end of 2017 will provide the most financial value to South Bend residents due to recent state policy changes, and GA",, Solarize South Bend is a short-term, local, community- driven initiative that brings together groups of potential solar energy customers through widespread outreach and education, and GA)", Solarize initiatives in other communities have helped strengthen the local solar energy industry and created jobs, and GA",, Solarize initiatives simplify the complex process of going solar, making it less risky, confusing, and expensive for both consumer and installer, and GA",, residents and businesses who sign up for solar installations by a specific deadline will have access to negotiated group rates below market prices, and historically, Solarize initiatives lower the cost of solar energy systems 10 to 15 percent, and GA",, the City of South Bend is updating zoning, permitting, and inspection policies and processes in preparation for increased solar energy installation, and CA ,, the City of South Bend will soon be designated as a solar- friendly "SolSmart" community for these efforts by the Department of Energy, and Ofi",, the Solarize initiative is led by a network of volunteer experts and supported with staff and resources of the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG).