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Programs - Cities

On April 21, 2010, SEEA was awarded $20M in funding from the U.S. DOE for a comprehensive municipal energy efficiency project.  The Southeast Community Retrofit Ramp-up Consortium will partner with cities in eight southeastern states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia – and with the U.S. Virgin Islands to dramatically increase the effectiveness of building retrofits across the region.   SEEA’s community partners include Huntsville, AL., Celebration, FL.; Jacksonville, FL.; Atlanta, GA.; Decatur, GA.; New Orleans, LA.; Carrboro, N.C.; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Nashville, TN., Woodbury, TN.; Albemarle County, VA.; Charlottesville, VA.; and Hampton Roads Planning District, VA.  Download a short summary of the proposal.

SEEA’s Request for Proposals (RFP) from cities and counties in the Southeast to compete for up to $500,000 to create and implement a community energy alliance is now available. The program design is largely based on efforts underway in Cambridge, Mass., Cincinnati, Ohio, New York, N.Y. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This competition is open to cities and counties in SEEA’s 11-state region of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Due on May 15, 2009, proposals will be reviewed by an advisory panel of national experts using criteria such as: the depth of community involvement and support; comprehensiveness of the plan, including program design, milestones, and demonstrated understanding of the community’s market and energy characteristics; reasonableness of project objectives; and innovation in program design, marketing strategy, technology focus, and financing options. The winning city will be announced on June 20, 2009. View RFP

More Information

City Proposals to create an Energy Alliance

SEEA Launches Energy Efficiency Competition

Launching the Cincinnati Energy Alliance

Latest Updates

Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc.

During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south, east and west windows. In winter, let the sun in.

Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost up the chimney. Also, close the fireplace damper when not in use.

ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while.

Dress appropriately for the weather, and set your thermostat to the lowest possible comfortable setting.

When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Better yet, use a microwave oven instead.

Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to reduce hot water use.

Replace your five most used light bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energy costs.

Only heat or cool the rooms you need - close vents and doors of unused rooms.

Use cold water for laundry and save up to $63 a year - detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean.

Storm windows can reduce heat lost by single-paned windows by 25-50 percent during the winter.

To save on hot water, take five-minute showers instead of baths.

In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of AC, and ventilate at night this way when practical. Fans cost less to use than AC.

Turn off office equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.

Seal and weatherstrip your windows and doors to ensure that you're not wasting energy heating or cooling through leaks to the outdoors.

Your water heater should be set at "warm", so that a thermometer held under running water reads no more than 120 degrees.

Check the furnance or air conditioner filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed.

Insulate ducts to improve your heating system’s efficiency and your own comfort.

Do only full loads when using the clothes washer or dishwasher.

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