The South Bend Green Ribbon Commission was launched in 2009 by then-Mayor Steve Luecke with the goal of bringing residents together to actively engage in environmental issues by enacting green initiatives in the city. These activities include shrinking the carbon footprint and implementing energy-efficient practices to reduce pollution and save taxpayer money. The commission consists of members of the community from all walks of life—education, business, local government, and private citizens. The meetings are coordinated by the city’s Office of Sustainability and its director, Therese Dorau.
I attended my first meeting of the commission last week as the representative for Inovateus Solar. When I arrived, I saw several familiar faces from the community who are regularly engaged in local green advocacy work. Unity Gardens’ Hannah Scafford sat next to me, fresh from a long day in one of the group’s 40 gardens spread across the city. Indiana University of South Bend’s Krista Bailey, director of the Center for a Sustainable Future, attended as well. Local business people, architects and citizens were updated on various sustainability projects going on in the city by Dorau’s second-in-command, Adam Parsons.
The main presentation and educational event included a lecture by Leah Thill, the SolSmart representative who is working to promote and facilitate the development of solar in Michiana. The program operates through a six-month grant funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Our area’s grant runs out at the end of July, but if additional funding can be raised by local governments, Thill will be retained and will be able to continue her terrific work.
At the commission meeting, she outlined the incredible growth that solar has experienced in northern Indiana, an area better known for its perma-cloud. Check out the map on the right which details this growth between 2011 and today. When you look at the falling price of solar, coupled with increased efficiency and reliability, it’s no mystery why we see an significant increase in the number of Hoosiers investing in their energy future. There is also a domino effect going on here. Let’s say a large local business or school installs solar and the media covers the ribbon-cutting ceremony, reporting how much the system costs and what the energy savings will be. This kind of attention creates a cycle of awareness and curiosity. Whenever a large project is completed in the area and the media picks up on it, Inovateus receives a flurry of prospective customers curious about what their solar options are.
The meeting wrapped with Parsons updating the commission on South Bend’s sustainability initiatives. The city is searching for a new recycling contractor, and is in the process of updating its outdated sewer system. Another exciting development is the hydroelectric dam that Notre Dame will be developing in partnership with the city over the next two years. The east-side riverfront (across from the Century Center) will be the site for the one-megawatt hydroelectric system, which will complement the amazing renaissance that downtown South Bend is experiencing. Seitz Park, located on the dam’s future site, will be rebuilt to serve as a pristine outdoor recreation venue on the city’s waterfront.
By Tim Powers, strategic research administrator, Inovateus Solar
