The Madison City Council officially approved an agreement with Madison Gas and Electric Company Tuesday to spend $1.8 million on 'green energy' projects.
The projects will take place over eight years and will be called the 'Energy Partnership for a Green Capital City.'
Proposed projects involve the city working with MG&E in developing a plan for spending the $1.8 million on energy initiatives. The programs would be financed directly through MG&E while working in conjunction with the city.
'We don't have any specific projects on the book yet,' said Ald. Judy Olson, District 6. 'But we are in the process of developing a plan.'
There is some speculation on what projects could be addressed. According to George Twigg, spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz., 'Much is yet to be decided.'
'Funds that come from MG&E to the city could be used to upgrade city buildings, or any other utility or energy-related aspect of city operations that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuel,' Olson said. 'There are many different shapes that this assistance can take.'
Some ideas that have been looked into are retrofitting city buildings to make them more energy efficient as well as solar demonstration projects to heat water at city swimming pools.
There are other aspects of the 'green energy' projects that could potentially be used as a template for future changes, Twigg said.
'They are designed to be potential demonstration projects,' Twigg said. 'If it works it is something we could try to replicate in other city projects.
'This project came about because MG&E has helped the city with a number of projects and they want to continue to be helpful and decided to create a more formal program over a long period of time,' Twigg said. 'They want to work with the city to come up with a plan.'
Two of the largest energy projects that MG&E is currently involved in that have helped the city are wind projects and consumer waste projects.
Steve Kraus, manager of media relations for MG&E, said the company has a program in which customers can use wind power for an increased price. According to Kraus, the program is sold out.
'It is good for taxpayers and good for the environment in reducing our energy consumption,' Kraus said of the plan. 'There are no environmental impacts.'
