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RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE <br />• SOUTHEAST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE (SEEA) GRANT APPLICATION <br />WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville passed a resolution in January 2009 to support <br />the County, City, and University working collaboratively to address energy efficiency and climate <br />change; and <br />WHEREAS, the authorization for localities to establish clean energy financing programs <br />has been realized in the recent passing of Senate Bill 1212; and <br />WHEREAS, a clean energy financing program is important component of an effective <br />local energy alliance, as described in the SEEA grant Request for Proposal; and <br />WHEREAS, the establishment of a local energy alliance is dependent upon enabling <br />legislation and will be developed within the current legal parameters of the Commonwealth of <br />Virginia; and <br />WHEREAS, the City is pleased to submit a letter of support and commitment as part of <br />our SEEA grant proposal; and <br />WHEREAS, the creation and implementation of a local energy alliance will assist us in <br />achieving important community goals and underscores our commitment to energy efficiency, <br />affordable housing, renewable technologies, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction; and <br />• WHEREAS, the City will collaborate with and support a new, separate, alliance -based <br />organization (currently referred to as "LEAP") to develop the capabilities, programs, and <br />services our community needs with respect to its energy use — education, conservation, energy <br />efficiency, and renewable generation — to create a sustainable energy future for us all; and <br />WHEREAS, the City commits to working with LEAP in a sustained effort of five to seven <br />years to achieve comprehensive gas, electricity and water savings by retrofitting buildings and <br />installing renewable technologies in all end use sectors and to help define and pursue energy <br />and water conservation initiatives in support of our current imperatives as well as emerging <br />needs, interests and priorities, including, as appropriate, evaluation of opportunities to modify <br />policies, practices, incentives and building codes to accomplish the above; and <br />WHEREAS, the City intends to work closely with LEAP and its founders to sponsor and <br />promote a variety of discrete energy campaigns and programs (e.g., for owner -occupied <br />residences, the business/commercial sector, rental properties, neighborhood campaigns, etc.) <br />and to incorporate workforce and economic development into these campaigns, as well as into <br />the overall regional effort, through both systemic and episodic strategies; and <br />WHEREAS, the City will demonstrate financial support in the near term through <br />designation of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds (—$195K for <br />energy efficiency improvements in residential and commercial sectors through revolving loans <br />and other related needs/opportunities), continuation of the Home Energy Conservation Grant <br />Program ($125K per year), and the use of Capital Improvement Program funds for the <br />renovation/remodel of a blighted residence to serve as an educational, community resource for <br />energy efficiency and renewables ("Energy House" - $100K); and <br />• <br />