Community Feedback on Energy Efficiency Block Grant

The City of Los Angeles is seeking public input on how to spend the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant from the federal stimulus package – approximately $37 million which can be used in various ways to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, improve energy efficiency, and maximize benefits for local communities – public health, good jobs and equitable business opportunities.

It is critical that energy efficiency programs are built with the expertise, creativity and innovation of the green business community, with integrity, and with the understanding that programs and initiatives will be held to high standards.

The public meetings are nearly over but there is an opportunity to complete an online survey where you can give feedback about our City priorities. Go to this link to complete the survey as soon as possible: http://www.environmentla.org/EECBG/EECBG.htm

Here is a link to a recent letter of support by the Sustainability Committee of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council for the Los Angeles Convention Center application.

DLANC considering a partnership with Village Green - public comment requested

Community Feedback Requested
Monday, August 17 6:30pm-8:30pm
NC Office (453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1020)

During the public comment at our monthly August Sustainability Committee meeting, Jude Hannah from Urban Glue invited the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council to consider a community partnership with the company Village Green as applicants for grant money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The proposed $250,000 project would go towards the development of a Small Business Environmental Management Program for Downtown. We are still trying to learn the details of this proposed partnership and welcome you to a community meeting next Monday.



This is the information Jude Hannah has provided to us thus far (see the image - a summary of the partnership roles). She has disclosed that she would be one of the people hired to run this initiative downtown by Village Green if the grant application is successful. We will continue to post more information as it is made available to us and we encourage public comment on this opportunity.

We plan to host a presentation by Jude Hannah of Urban Glue and community forum on this proposed community partnership. The Sustainability Committee will formally consider this at the September 2009 meeting and we have invited the Economic Development Committee to consider this prospect as well. Post your comments!

Our Role as Neighborhood Advocates: Energy Block Grants

Via an email request, the Los Angeles Convention Center asked the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council to support their application for the Energy Block Grant. This funding is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. At our July 2009 meeting, the Sustainability Committee discussed and agreed to bring a letter of support to our upcoming Board of Director's meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 (6:30pm at the Los Angeles Theater).

The Los Angeles Convention Center has made significant strides to improve their operations and overall efficiency. As a large stakeholder downtown, we agreed that it was important to support the Convention Center as they hope to "enhance the LACC's environmental stewardship, environmental education, energy conservation, and other environmental programs." We believe these goals are in line with the mission of the Sustainability Committee - and look forward to engaging as they implement these initiatives downtown.

Here is the proposed letter of support - to be voted on at the next Board of Directors meeting.

UPDATE: Letter approved by the Board of Directors (July 2009) and to be forwarded to City of Los Angeles.