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On Monday, the Community Sustainability Council, an advisory group appointed last year by Greensboro City Council, worked to finalize a list of proposals for a $2.5 million federal energy grant that needs council approval next week in order to meet a Dec. 3 U.S. Department of Energy deadline. Grant funds must be spent within 3 years.

The council made its decision based on a series of public meetings, city staff input and feedback from consultants hired using administrative funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. Following is a breakdown of what the group is recommending the city pursue:

City programs

1. Improve city facility recycling. (Grant portion: $150,000; total estimated cost:$375,000) This would purchase recycling carts and Dumpsters to increase recycling rates at city facilities, such as parks, fire stations, police substations, city hall, etc. This should save money for the city in the long run because it costs less for the city to recycle than to send waste to the landfill. Expected jobs created or retained: 1

2. Building automation system improvements. ($203,000/$240,000) This involves purchasing software and hardware necessary to implement an energy management program for 10 city facilities and save the city an estimated 600,000 kilowatt-hours a year. Jobs created or retained: 2.6

3. Hydroelectric turbine. ($361,000/$722,000). This involves the installation of a reverse pump type turbine at Mitchell Water Treatment Plant. This would produce electricity and save the city about 824,000 kilowatt-hours a year. Jobs created or retained: 3.9

4. Energy efficiency retrofits to city buildings. ($850,000/$1 million) This would provide upgrades to city buildings not already included in the current performance contract and save about 1.2 million kilowatt-hours and 6,000 therms a year. Jobs created or retained: 10.9

5. Solar LED street lights. ($106,600/$303,000) This would pilot the installation of 33 solar-powered streetlights for Phase 1A (along Freeman Mill) of the new downtown greenway, saving a total of about 36,000 kilowatt-hours a year. Jobs created or retained: 3

6. Solar hot water for fire stations. ($81,000/$120,000) This would install solar hot water systems at eight additional fire stations, saving a total of about 2,200 therms a year. Jobs created or retained: 1.3

 Community Projects

1. Green jobs development infrastructure. ($129,600/$384,000) This would retrain workers displaced from manufacturing jobs in Greensboro and provide training for career technical students in Guilford County secondary schools in the areas of solar technology, energy audits and retrofits, weatherization, and energy efficiency related to water conservation. GTCC has expressed interest in partnering. Jobs created or retained: 4.2

2. Residential energy program. ($238,000/$618,000) This would fill the gap in existing programs for residents getting energy audits. The consultants assumed that Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas will help offset the costs of the audit, but a PNC spokesman at the meeting said don't count on it.

3. Financial incentives assistance and revolving loan fund. ($327,000/$510,000) This program would establish a revolving loan fund to provide low- or no-interest loans to finance renewable energy and efficiency projects in the residential and multi-family sectors as well as for commercial and institutional buildings. The idea is for people to pay back the loan through their energy savings. Several CSC members felt that this could be a strong project for the city and create market demand for both green jobs training and services. Jobs created or retained: 5.4

4. Materials recycling enhancement program. ($294,000/same) This would essentially provide outreach and incentives to increase the community's recycling rate. It could also help pay for or expand an existing recycling pilot at eight mulit-family complexes. Jobs createad or retained: 3.2

5. Planning and regulations. ($60,000/unknown) This would help pay for the city's overdue update in its comprehensive plan and incorporate relevant energy efficiency and conservation topics, such as encouraging vegetative or reflective roofs. The city is currently in the process of revising its land development ordinance, which is part of the comprehensive plan. Jobs created or retained: 0.7

6. Energy outreach coordinator. ($210,000/same) This program would support one new full-time coordinator for the city, or in partnership with a non-profit, for three years. His/her responsibility would be to coordinate with local schools to develop young leaders and enhance classroom environmental education programs; develop and deliver a Green Certified Neighborhoods Program with an early focus on a neighborhood energy challenge program; and reach out through neighborhood liaisons, the real estate community, business groups, newcomers, etc. Jobs created or retained: 1

7. City communication program. ($25,000/same) This is essentially for an advertising campaign to get the word out about tips, initiatives and available programs. Jobs created or retained: 0.3