DCI Annual Report 2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY The Offi ce of Sustainability’s mission is to mobilize the community to address climate change. We do this by illuminaƟ ng ways to reduce polluƟ on and adapt to a changing environment, collaboraƟ ng with the community and exisƟ ng climate acƟ on, and designing, developing, and delivering climate soluƟ ons. In 2024, we primarily focused on designing, developing, and delivering climate soluƟ ons that reduced our polluƟ on from the energy and transportaƟ on sectors based on strategies outlined in our Climate Ac Ɵ on Plan, Carbon Neutral 2050. ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SOLAR SAVINGS INITIATIVEE (EASSI) EASSI (pronounced “easy”) provides subsidized energy assessments, matching grants, and opƟ onal low-interest loans to nonprofi t community organizaƟ ons to complete energy effi ciency and/or solar projects. EASSI aims to reduce buildings’ carbon emissions, make community organizaƟ ons more resilient by reducing their energy bills, and increase awareness of energy effi ciency and renewable energy. We partner with IFF, a CDFI and real estate consultant for nonprofi ts, and CDFI Friendly South Bend to administer the program. In its third year, EASSI supported 13 organizaƟ ons, including eight located in areas with the highest levels of social vulnerability in the city, according to the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index. EASSI project results include: • 4 solar projects resulƟ ng in 90.05kW of solar energy generaƟ on potenƟ al, the equivalent of saving over 9,824 gallons of gasoline from being consumed each year. • 9 energy effi ciency projects, including high- effi ciency HVAC systems, insulaƟ on improvements, LED LighƟ ng replacements, and electrifi caƟ on. • 10 energy audits conducted. • A combined total of more than $600,000 in public and private investment in energy effi ciency and solar: $258,000 in matching grants awarded to EASSI nonprofi ts leveraged $344,000 in private investment. • Roughly, every $1 dollar invested by EASSI grants generated $2.333 in building investments for energy effi ciency and solar. “We decided to explore the EASSI Grants available through the Offi ce of Sustainability. Limited by our budget but wanƟ ng to weatherize at lease one aspect of our building, we also decided to pursue replace our four large and rickety factory style windows on the east side of the building with energy effi cient treatments. EASSI provided a matching grant to help with these much needed improvements. The Sustainability team has been so supporƟ ve throughout this whole process. In-person and webinar style meeƟ ngs throughout the grant period have been invaluable.” -EASSI Par Ɵ cipant 51 ANNUAL REPORT 2024