We’ve just started!
Great ideas can come from all of us working together. For every first step there are dozens more. Here are a few things we’ve accomplished so far…
1) In 2016, the City replaced their sodium vapor street lights with LEDs city-wide, reducing electric use for lighting by 40-60% and increasing safety and deterring criminal behavior with better lighting.
2) City of Decatur’s Unified Development Ordinance requires that all new buildings and major renovations meet Energy Star, EarthCraft or LEED green building standards. This reduces the energy use of buildings in Decatur and saves the city, businesses, and citizens energy costs.
3) Fire Stations #1 and #2 have Energy Star rated cool roofs with solar panels to provide solar water heating. Fire Station #1 has a green roof and also includes a geothermal vertical-closed loop, ground source heat pump system.
4) City Schools of Decatur has replaced many of their lights with LEDs and installed solar arrays on Renfroe Middle School and Talley St Upper Elementary.
5) City of Decatur has installed electric vehicle chargers at Decatur Square and Harmony Park.
Next Comes the Energy/Climate Plan
There is so much more to do! We start by asking what’s best for the City of Decatur. So our next step is to develop a comprehensive energy/climate plan for our city. This will require citizen participation as well as hiring expert consultants. Call or write your city commissioners to encourage them to take this step.