Jan. 11, 2010
Residential and commercial energy use are two of the three largest sectors in most community greenhouse gas emission inventories (transportation is the third). Local government interest in working with residents and businesses to reduce those emissions has exploded over the past year. This interest has been driven by the opportunities presented by Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant and Retrofit Ramp-up funding, and with innovative models like those profiled in ICLEI's 2009 Webinar Series on Innovative Energy Financing.

Southeast local governments are boldly embracing these opportunities and are creating some innovative models of their own. At least 13 local governments in the Southeast are developing programs to offer some kind of financial incentive for energy efficiency improvements to homes and/or businesses. Some will make loans with repayment attached to property taxes, some have come up with other creative ways to offer financing, and some are offering rebates or matching grants to reduce the cost of improvements and make the investment more attractive for homeowners.

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Source: Local Action Blog