In July 2009, the City of Omaha was awarded $4,331,500 by the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop and implement energy efficiency projects funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), a program supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Link to more information on the EECBG 

 

In September 2009, the City hired its first Sustainability Coordinator to coordinate a portfolio of projects that include a balance of quick, shovel-ready and longer term strategic efforts. Over the next several months, the City, including staff from the Mayor’s Office, Planning, Public Works, Public Building Commission, worked on designing the projects. In April 2010, the DOE approved the City’s project list and the work of implementation began. 

 

The City has until July 2012 to complete all EECBG projects. The new Office of Sustainable Development is responsible for overall program coordination.