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Memorandum OFFICE OF THE MAYOR 435 RYMAN MISSOULA, MONTANA 59802-4297 July 19, 2010 Dear Neighbor, The City of Missoula and NorthWestern Energy are teaming up on an exciting project this summer called the Green Blocks Pilot Project. It aims to demonstrate home energy savings and bring significant energy-saving home improvements to residents in 300 Missoula homes free of charge to participating homeowners. All we need is you. The Green Blocks Pilot Project will begin with professional energy audits performed by NorthWestern Energy’s contractor on residences in two-block areas in Missoula. Following the audits, NorthWestern will install, where needed, a number of energy- saving items, such as weather-stripping for exterior doors, foam gap sealants, programmable thermostats, hot water tank insulation and low-flow water savers. Insulation may also be installed or increased. To further focus utility savings, we’ve partnered with Mountain Water Company. Its staff members will also perform free water-wise home audits for Green Blocks participants and identify and install water-saving measures where needed. In addition to the core Green Blocks Pilot Project, this year’s project will include a companion City of Missoula program that we’re calling Green Blocks Conservation Side Orders. We created Side Orders to provide additional education and resources that enable households to further reduce energy consumption and live more sustainably. The program is unique in that Green Blocks participants will shape their participation based on their interests and needs. Be sure to make your selections from our Conservation Side Orders menu and return it with your complete application, so that we can provide a targeted and useful program that maximizes project participation. The Green Blocks Pilot Project began as a project of the Mayor’s Advisory Group on Climate Change and Sustainability. Our robust partnership with NorthWestern Energy provided residential audits and conservation measures to 93 Missoula homes in 2008. The partnership is growing the program with money from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant economic stimulus program. The Green Blocks Advisory Group, which is made up of citizens and City staff members, will evaluate applications for the two-block areas and select participants in August. To apply, please read the attached application information or visit us online at ci.missoula.mt.us/greenblocks. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the least obvious. We’re saving money, we’re saving resources. We hope you will join us in the Green Blocks Pilot Project and help Missoula lead the way in giving conservation a square deal. Sincerely, Mayor John Engen