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City of Missoula, Montana Item to be Referred to City Council Committee Committee: Administration and Finance Item: Green Blocks Home Energy Audits Contract Date: June 2, 2010 Prepared by: Chase Jones, OPG Initiated by: Ginny Merriam, Mayor’s Office and Chase Jones, OPG Action Required: Authorize the Mayor to sign a contract between the City of Missoula and Northwestern Energy to conduct Green Blocks Pilot Project home energy audits using Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Recommended Motion: I move the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached contract with Northwestern Energy for $250,000 to conduct the home energy audit portion of the Green Blocks Pilot Project. Timeline: Referral to committee: June 4, 2010 Committee discussion/Set Public Hearing: June 16, 2010 Background and Alternatives Explored: On December 22, 2009, the City of Missoula was awarded $680,400 in Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) formula funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Based on the success of the 2008 Green Blocks Pilot Project, it was decided that Green Blocks 2010 was a viable and valuable project to be included as part of EECBG, and $250,000 of grant funds were budgeted for the activity. NorthWestern Energy agreed to partner with the city on Green Blocks 2010, and will contribute $250,000 in additional funds to accomplish the Green Blocks 2010 scope. The City of Missoula was also able to secure a partnership with Mountain Water Company to round out representation of local major utilities. In addition to the “Green Blocks Core”, a new piece to Green Blocks 2010 is the Green Blocks Conservation Side Orders program. It not only furthers residential energy efficiency and savings and sustainable neighborhoods, but also highlights public/private partnerships in hopes to stimulate jobs and a green economy. Please read below for more detail. 1. Green Blocks Core Green Blocks is a partnership between the City of Missoula and NorthWestern Energy. The goal of the core program is to improve residential energy efficiency by: providing free home energy audits installing free energy-saving measures identified by those audits ---PAGE BREAK--- In addition, Mountain Water Company will provide free “water-wise” home audits and resulting water-wise measures and education. See the “Home Energy Audit Checklist” attached to this referral for more detail. 2. Green Blocks Conservation Side Orders Conservation Side Orders is new to the 2010 Pilot Project and is a companion program to our Green Blocks partnership with NorthWestern Energy. They provide education and resources to help participants realize additional energy conservation, save money and contribute to a more sustainable neighborhood and community. Conservation Side Orders is a package of free City programs made specifically for Green Blocks participants that focus on: Clawson Windows – Energy Efficient and Locally Manufactured Replacement Windows Program First Interstate Bank Energy Efficiency Financial Assessment and Assistance Sustainable Building Systems Solar Site and Finance Assessment Pre-cycling/Recycling Missoula In Motion Transportation Options Planning Native and water-wise Landscape “Grow Your Own Food” Education and Assistance See the “Conservation Side Orders Menu” attached to this referral for more detail. 3. Green Blocks Scope: Green Blocks will engage 300 homes in two-block areas throughout Missoula’s diverse neighborhood network. Households must be clustered in “blocks”. Blocks are not necessarily defined by a square but must be adjacent streets that represent no more than two blocks. Two- block areas are required to have a 90% resident participation rate. For example, if there are 10 homes on a block, 9 must agree to participate. Timeline: July 2010 – Application period will open August 2010 - Applicants will be notified of committee decisions August 2010 – Mandatory Green Blocks Orientation meeting August/September 2010 – Audits will begin August/September 2010 – Conservation Side Orders program begins September – November 2010 – Conservation measures retrofits installed 2010 – 2011 - Energy use monitored Financial Implications: There are no direct budgetary implications for the City. Attachments: Home Energy Audit checklist Conservation Side Orders Menu Green Blocks Contract