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For Immediate Release

October 7, 2020

 

Contacts:

Robin Davis, Office of the Mayor, 614-369-5613

Jeff Ortega, Department of Public Utilities, 614-230-4141

 

Columbus Tops 30,000 Home Energy Audits in 2020

Mayor Ginther Calls for More Work in Energy Efficiency

 

COLUMBUS – The City of Columbus’ Sustainable Steps program celebrated a key environmental protection sustainability milestone on October 7 – surpassing 30,000 home energy audits in Columbus within two years.

 

“These audits, which identify opportunities for energy efficiency in homes, will ultimately save residents money and save energy use, helping ensure a healthier, more equitable community,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.

 

The Mayor’s announcement comes during the national celebration of Energy Efficiency Week.

 

Ginther credited the city working with residents and neighborhoods, utility companies and other partners to rally towards this common goal. Ginther also credited the work of the City’s behavior change program, Sustainable Steps, a part of the larger Sustainable Columbus initiative, in helping achieve the milestone.

 

“The City of Columbus is committed to providing an equitable, sustainable and resilient future for our community, as evidenced by our clean energy aggregation effort this fall and goals around energy efficiency,” Mayor Ginther said. “Every resident has the right to clean air and water, and a safe and healthy living environment. That’s what addressing climate change and meeting these goals is all about.”

 

The City will continue to promote energy efficiency including encouraging more residents to take part in in-home energy audits, to install recommended energy efficiency improvements and to take full advantage of home weatherization programs to help them save money on utility bills.

 

Mayor Ginther made sustainability a key priority for his second term and announced the Columbus community’s goal is to be Carbon Neutral by 2050, saying it goes to the very fabric of what it means to be America’s Opportunity City. He set a new goal today for Columbus residences to use 10% less energy annually by 2030 by raising awareness and growing participation in available energy efficiency programs. These commitments demonstrate why Columbus was selected as one of 25 cities to participate in the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge, an effort to resource cities to take strong action to reduce pollution that contributes to climate change and impact public health.

 

“When we started this journey last year, the goal of doing 30,000 home energy audits seemed like a stretch. But, by working together, we got there,” said Vince Parisi, Columbia Gas President.

“Now, Mayor Ginther has set a new goal: Residents in Columbus will use 10 percent less energy annually by 2030. It’s another challenge for our community and for our company. But I know we can get there. And our neighborhoods can help lead the way.”

 

“Through the Sustainable Steps program, we’ve witnessed what can be accomplished when partners and communities work toward a common goal: we achieve success,” said Raja Sundararajan, AEP Ohio President and Chief Operating Officer. “This collaboration will serve us well as we support Mayor Ginther’s new goal.”

 

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News Coverage:

 

WYSX TV-ABC 6 Coverage: https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/city-of-columbus-celebrates-sustainability-achievement-10-07-2020