Mayor Announces Indianapolis Will Receive $10 Million for Energy Retrofits

Mayor Greg Ballard today announced that Indianapolis will receive $10 million in Recovery Act funding to “ramp-up” energy efficiency building retrofits on the City’s Near Eastside. Indianapolis is one of 25 cities selected to receive up to $452 million in funding as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative.

“The energy efficiency building retrofits will provide support for our continued investment in urban infrastructure to create a more sustainable city for generations to come,” Mayor Ballard said. “We thank the Department of Energy for acknowledging our steps to make city government more energy efficient, in turn serving as an example for all Indianapolis residents and business owners. Expected results of this project are lower energy bills for participants, economic recovery and job creation.”

The Indianapolis Retrofit Ramp-up Project aims to create sustainable neighborhood-scale energy efficiency pilot projects in a 470-square-block Near-Eastside neighborhood. The program will transform the area to a more energy efficient and economically sustainable community by retrofitting a diverse range of buildings including residential, industrial and commercial units, schools and nonprofits. The project will provide for investments in energy efficiency education, outreach and program delivery.

The retrofit programs developed will serve as a model for energy efficiency neighborhoods across the country. The Department of Energy will observe the Indianapolis retrofit and other pilot programs to develop best-practice guides to comprehensive retrofit programs that can be adopted and implemented by communities across the country. City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability staff will work with Department of Energy officials to finalize project details.

Examples of energy efficiency upgrades include insulation, window replacements, energy efficiency appliances and lighting. Installation of low-flow water fixtures such as faucets and shower heads are included. The Retrofit Ramp-up Project is expected to begin in the fall of 2010.

The city of Lafayette partnered with Indianapolis on the application, demonstrating regional cooperation on energy efficiency.

To learn more about Mayor Ballard’s vision of making Indianapolis one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest, visit www.sustainindy.org.