The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance has launched a $500,000 contest, with the grand prize going to the southeastern city with the most effective energy efficiency program. Via E&E:
The contest asks local governments to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce electricity use by between 20 percent and 40 percent over a period of up to seven years. That means city halls and county boards will have to build partnerships with utilities, which generally drive efficiency programs by adding small surcharges to customers’ bills.
The rules also require local leaders to “emphatically sponsor and market the program,” by reducing power at schools, hospitals and water facilities, and by pledging to obtain advertising to educate the public. Power reduction targets and projected budgets must be included in the plan.
Some are already throwing out some serious trash talk:
“The smart money is on Asheville winning,” declared Brownie Newman, a city councilor in the North Carolina town, population 72,000. “I don’t think there’s much question that we’re going to win.”
Personally I’m pulling for the ATL to pull out an upset victory, but something tells me Asheville’s got something up its sleeve.
Tags: energy efficiency
