Stimulus funds go to sustainability plan

More than $14 million dollars in federal stimulus dollars are headed to Philadelphia to make the city more energy efficient. Philadelphia was one of six major U.S. cities to receive a share of nearly $93 million dollars

More than $14 million dollars in federal stimulus dollars are headed to Philadelphia to make the city more energy efficient. Philadelphia was one of six major U.S. cities to receive a share of nearly $93 million dollars… officials announced this week. The funds are to be used to create cleaner, more environmentally sustainable cities and create jobs.

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[audio: 091009lfgreen.mp3]

The money will fund the city’s sustainability plan Greenworks Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Sustainability Director Katherine Gajewski says the city will expand its recycling program, and help businesses go green.

Gajewski: We’re going to be able to offer low interest loans mainly to owners of commercial and industrial properties that wish to undertake building retro-fit projects: putting in new windows, a new boiler system. Infrastructure improvements that are going to reduce their energy costs and improve their energy savings so that they have more money to contribute towards their bottom line.

The goals of the city’s sustainability plan go far beyond what the stimulus dollars will cover. Some of the ambitious plans include trying to lower city government’s energy consumption by thirty percent, and bring local food within 10 minutes of 75% of residents.