Cleaner Greener Lincoln uses federal stimulus money for many projects

Contrary to popular belief, it's buildings, not cars, that are the biggest energy users.

That's why Lincoln's broad sustainability program -- Cleaner Greener Lincoln -- focuses on buildings, says Milo Mumgaard, senior aide to Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler.

Transportation is responsible for about 36 percent of the overall energy use in the city, Mumgaard said.

The rest occurs inside buildings -- homes, industrial and commercial buildings -- based on city Planning Department analysis.

So the Cleaner Greener Lincoln program is helping reduce energy costs in buildings by installing 8,000 LED lighting products in city-owned structures; encouraging home owners to caulk windows, use more efficient light bulbs and add insulation; and helping non-profits pay for fuel-efficient heating and air-conditioning systems.

Cleaner Greener Lincoln is using about $5.4 million in federal stimulus funding on 19 activities -- from replacing all city traffic signal lights with LED products to revising building codes so they encourage green building practices.

The federal funds first became available in December 2009.

The last penny must be spent by the end of May 2013.

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