Title
Energy Commission Resolution Recognizing the DDA for its Decarbonization and Sustainability
Body
Whereas, the City of Ann Arbor adopted the Sustainability Framework outlining its environmental and social goals and has taken on the A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality goal to reduce carbon emissions from our community to zero by 2030;
Whereas, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has a long history of providing strong environmental leadership in our community to reduce the use of fossil fuels by implementing programs and projects to improve energy efficiency, install and demonstrate renewable energy, encourage the transition to electric vehicles, promote walking, biking and the use of public transportation, plant trees, and invest in a welcoming downtown;
Whereas, in 2006 the DDA provided 50% of the funding for the City to install a test block of 20 experimental LED globe lights for downtown;
Whereas, in 2007, after a successful test and public feedback, DDA approved $630,000 to retrofit all downtown sidewalk lights with LED lighting leading to an annual reduction in lighting cost of $100,000 and an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 267 metric tons CO2;
Whereas, the Downtown LED Retrofit Project brought national and international awards and acclaim to Ann Arbor for its leadership in demonstrating this new technology, including from the Clinton Foundation, the International City / County Managers' Association and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (now known as ICLEI);
Whereas, in 2007 the DDA approved $100,000 in funding for the construction of the 10 kW Farmers Market Solar array to provide a very visible public demonstration of this renewable energy technology;
Whereas, the Farmers Market Solar Project was awarded a $6,000 State grant to provide an educational kiosk designed and constructed by the Hands-on Museum to increase public knowledge of this technology;
Whereas, in 2008-2011 the DDA provided o...
Click here for full text