The Milwaukee Common Council has approved a measure to accept the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Cities 2008 grant. The measure directs the city's Office of Environmental Sustainability to accept a two-year $200,000 grant, matched by $100,000 in allocated city funds, to help remove barriers to the implementation of solar technologies in the city.
Milwaukee is one of 12 cities selected for the grant in 2008.
The grant will include training for solar panel installers and provide funds to produce education materials to make more residents aware of how solar technology can increase efficiency and save costs, said Ald. Tony Zielinski.
"This is just what we hoped for when the Council directed the Office of Environmental Sustainability to investigate solar energy options for Milwaukee," he said. "This grant provides excellent leverage for environmental action that will set the example for cities across the United States."
"I am proud that Milwaukee's commitment to energy conservation and cutting-edge technology has earned our city this impressive grant, and I am excited for the growing solar industry's potential to create new, good-paying jobs for Milwaukeeans," said Mayor Tom Barrett. "I envision Milwaukee as a national leader in environmental protection and groundbreaking advancements, and the Council's vote to provide the matching funds continues that mission."
Zielinski said the grant helps to fulfill the charge of Milwaukee's long-term goal for solar energy.
"Combined with the support we've received from project partners We Energies and Focus on Energy, this can become a large scale project with great impact on our community," he said.
Milwaukee aldermen want solar energy
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