2023 Community Investment Annual Report

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Filed in Clerk's Office / 9 Bianca Tirado City Clerk, South E3und, IN OFHCH OF SSTA \AB The Office of Sustainability's mission is to mobilize the community to address climate change. We do this by illuminating ways to reduce pollution and adapt to a changing environment, collaborating with the community and existing climate action, and designing, developing, and delivering climate solutions. In 2023, we primarily focused on designing, developing, and delivering climate solutions that reduced our pollution from the energy and transportation sectors based on strategies outlined in our Climate Action Plan, Carbon Neutral 2050. ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SOLAR SAVINGS INITIATIVEE (EASSI) EASSI (pronounced "easy") provides • 2 solar projects resulting in 304.1 kW of subsidized energy assessments, matching solar energy generation potential, the grants, and optional low-interest loans equivalent of saving over 36,000 gallons to nonprofit community organizations to of gasoline from being consumed each complete energy efficiency and/or solar year. • 9 energy efficiency projects, including projects. EASSI aims to reduce buildings' high- efficiency HVAC systems, carbon emissions, make community insulation improvements, LED Lighting organizations more resilient by reducing their replacements, and electrification. energy bills, and increase awareness of energy • 8 energy audits conducted. efficiency and renewable energy. We partner • A combined total of more than $737,000 with IFF, a CDFI and real estate consultant for in public and private investment in energy nonprofits, and CDFI Friendly South Bend to efficiency and solar: $298,000 in matching administer the program. In its second year, grants awarded to EASSI nonprofits EASSI supported 11 organizations, including leveraged $438,000 in private investment. seven located in areas with the highest levels • Roughly, every $1 dollar invested by EASSI grants generated $2.94 in building of social vulnerability in the city, according to investments for energy efficiency and the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index. EASSI solar. project results include: "I truly appreciate EASSI and find it to be well organized and efficient. Our First Round LED project was noticeable in that the enhanced lighting is attention getting, and it generated some interest in energy savings within our facilities. The site assessment has been very useful and we continue to refer to the findings and recommendations, incorporating both into our maintenance and upgrade schedule." - EASSI Participant OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY ANNUAL REPORT 2023