Ecoworks

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO ECOWORKS. SPECIFICALLY, THE PROJECT WILL TRANSFORM 20 HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INTO COMMUNITY RESILIENCE HUBS. THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN EFFICIENCY AND ELECTRIFICATION, SOLAR ENERGY/STORAGE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EV CHARGERS/VEHICLES, THIS PROJECT WILL EQUIP THESE TRUSTED COMMUNITY CENTERS WITH ENDURING ENERGY AUTONOMY, ENABLING THEM TO ALSO PROVIDE THEIR NEIGHBORS SAFETY, SECURITY, AND CONNECTION DURING EXTREME WEATHER, POWER OUTAGES, AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE RETROFITTING BUILDINGS, ESTABLISHING EV RIDESHARE PROGRAMS TO EXPAND MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS, DEPLOYING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE FLOODING, IMPLEMENTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR OCCUPATIONS THAT REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS, EDUCATING AND ENGAGING RESIDENTS IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE.SUBRECIPIENT:THE STATUTORY PARTNER, MICHIGAN INTERFAITH POWER AND LIGHT, WILL DRIVE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF THE PROJECT. A COLLABORATING ENTITY, SOLAR FAITHFUL, WILL OWN THE SOLAR PANEL AND EV CHARGING STATION CONSTRUCTION PORTION OF THE GRANT. ADDITIONALLY, 20 FIXED AMOUNT SUBAWARDS WILL BE GIVEN TO FOOD PANTRIES AND FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, ATTACHED TO HOUSES OF WORSHIP, TO ENGAGE CLERGY, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF IMPERMEABLE SURFACES WITH VEGETATION AND PERMEABLE PAVEMENT; 30 EVS DEPLOYED AT 20 SITES; REPLACEMENT OF NATURAL-GAS-FUELED EQUIPMENT WITH ELECTRIC MODELS; SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS INSTALLED; ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR 40 DETROITERS; AND ENVELOPE IMPROVEMENTS TO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED RESILIENCE TO EXTREME WEATHER; REDUCED BUILDING FLOODING; REDUCED AIR POLLUTION FROM TRANSPORTATION; DECREASED UTILITY BILLS; IMPROVED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY; INCREASED WAGES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS; DECREASED INCIDENCE OF ASTHMA SYMPTOMS FOR DETROIT RESIDENTS; REDUCED EXPOSURE TO MOLD AND OTHER CO-POLLUTANT EMISSIONS; INCREASED PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LITERACY. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.