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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Office of the Mayor <br /> <br />NEWS RELEASE <br />July 20, 2009 <br />4 p.m. <br /> <br />Stimulus will help South Bend cut energy consumption <br /> <br />Contact: <br />Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 <br /> <br />or Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, 235-9251 <br /> <br />With anticipated support from a federal stimulus grant, the City of South Bend plans to <br />establish a new high-level Office of Energy, seeking to reduce energy consumption costs <br />citywide from $7 million to $5 million annually. <br /> <br />The impact will cut greenhouse gases by 2 percent annually over next decade, reducing <br />the carbon footprint of City government by 8,000 tons – a “triple bottom line” that <br />improves energy efficiency, helps the environment and saves taxpayers money. <br /> <br />Mayor Stephen J. Luecke and Gary Gilot, director of public works, today announced the <br />City’s application for a $1,046,800 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant at <br />today’s quarterly meeting of South Bend’s Green Ribbon Commission, which will help <br />the City develop an Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy. According to the terms of <br />the grant, South Bend anticipates receiving $250,000 in initial funds and will have 120 <br />days to develop a strategy to qualify for the balance of the resources, about $800,000, for <br />implementation in the following three years. <br /> <br />“These stimulus dollars will enable South Bend to implement green strategies, save <br />energy and help the environment – all within the context of shrinking budget resources,” <br />Luecke said. “This is yet another way the City of South Bend uses innovation and <br />technology to improve efficiencies, cut our costs and reduce our carbon footprint.” <br /> <br />It will cost $200,000 to support the first two years of operation for the Office of Energy, <br />which will be self-funded from energy savings after that period. A full-time Director of <br />Energy will report directly to the mayor with initial staffing including six college interns. <br /> <br />“The local energy office will serve as the focal point for forming public-private <br />partnerships and communicating with surrounding communities, and the state energy <br /> <br />