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NEWS FROM OES
► NEW! MAYOR BARRETT LAUNCHES SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING EFFORT: Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced at the State of the City address on February 13, 2012, that Milwaukee will create a Sustainability Plan in 2012. Mayor Barrett announced the Green Team members and outlined the strategy for the Sustainability Plan. CLICK HERE for details.
► NEW! OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY IS HIRING: The Office of Environmental Sustainability is looking for TWO (2) part-time graduate student interns. Interns will conduct special projects and assignments in a variety of areas such as Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) program for residents and businesses, Milwaukee Shines, and energy efficiency improvement efforts to the City of Milwaukee operations. This is a paid internship and runs through 2012. Get all the details, and apply HERE.
► NEW ISSUE OF MILWAUKEE SUSTAINABILITY NEWSLETTER: Check out City of Milwaukee's Office of Environmental Sustainability bi-annual newsletter. CLICK HERE for the January 2012 issue.
► CITY PROGRAM FOR MANUFACTURERS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Are you a manufacturer who wants to learn how to more efficiently use materials and natural resources? Do you want to improve your bottom-line? If so, apply now for the City's ME2 program for small and medium sized manufacturers. Contact OES for more information or read through the FAQs and download the application HERE. In the meantime, check out this very helpful Sustainable Manufacturing 101 tool from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
► MILWAUKEE SUNSHOT GRANT: The City of Milwaukee and several statewide partners have won a nearly $500,000 federal grant to continue to support work to build a viable solar market in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin. For more info, visit Milwaukee Shines.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The City of Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability was created by Mayor Tom Barrett to position Milwaukee as a leader in environmental sustainability and performance in the 21st century. The office was created through community support received by the Milwaukee Green Team, a group commissioned by Mayor Barrett in 2004.
The Office of Environmental Sustainability (OES) promotes both economically viable and environmentally sound practices, projects and initiatives. The Office works with City departments, the Common Council, area businesses, and academic, community, and workforce organizations, to save taxpayer dollars by reducing energy bills in city buildings and in citizens' own homes and businesses. The office also promotes cost effective 'green' infrastructure solutions to the city's stormwater management challenges.
Our Goal: We will also help create and promote a citywide strategic vision for making Milwaukee a more economic, environmental and socially sustainable place to call home.
The City of Milwaukee is doing great things to not only ensure future generations can enjoy our parks and natural resources, but also to improve city government resource efficiency. To learn more about the Office of Environmental Sustainability and how the City of Milwaukee is being more resource efficient or programs that help residents and businesses save money e-mail us at sustainability@milwaukee.gov.
The Office of Environmental Sustainability is 100% funded by grants. Since 2006, OES has successfully attracted more than $20 million in grant funding to Milwaukee to help create an environmentally and economically sustainable community.
WHAT WE DO
The Office of Environmental Sustainability is solely grant funded, and works on a number of initiatives that will help the city government and the community at large become both environmentally and economically sustainable. Projects and goals include:
► Reduce city energy use by 15%
OES provides funding and support to City departments to help reduce energy use, and helps track and monitor its reduction goals. Through projects such as lighting retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades, this energy reduction will save hundreds of thousands of dollars for City departments, and savings for the City budget.
► Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) Program
OES provides free energy evaluations and low-cost loan options for homeowners and businesses in Milwaukee who would like to make their home more energy efficient. Me2 can help homeowners save on energy bills and upgrade homes with new insulation and other energy saving equipment with limited upfront costs. Me2 takes the guesswork out of making your home more energy efficient. Me2 works to create private-sector 'green job' opportunities in the construction industry.
► Milwaukee Shines Solar Program
OES manages the City’s solar program, which works to expand solar energy use through a comprehensive, citywide approach. Milwaukee Shines provides funding for city departments, schools, and non-profits to add solar to facilities. The program also helps homes and businesses invest in solar by providing education and training. OES is building a strong local solar manufacturing and installer base. This program, funded through an US Department of Energy Solar America Cities grant, helps create cleaner air for our community reduces energy costs for the City and the community.
► Milwaukee Sustainable Manufacturing (ME3) Program
OES utilizes stimulus dollars to leverage technical assistance to increase the efficiency of small to medium size manufacturers. The ME3 team works with manufacturers to identify cost-effective practices and projects that help firms increase material and resource efficiency, cut energy costs, water use and decrease waste.
► Business Grants for Energy Efficiency
OES, in partnership with the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, has awarded $850,000 in ARRA grants to local manufacturers and data centers to support energy efficiency projects. Grants have been awarded to MillerCoors, Oilgear, Materials Recovery, Wisconsin Paperboard, and more.
Connect with Energy Savings
Free Smartphone App for changing out your light bulbs easily - Reduce your need for electricity. Be sure to enter in your Milwaukee zip code - to connect to City of Milwaukee programs that can save you more money as you reduce your energy bills. www.LightBulbFinder.net
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