Santa Monica could soon be a net zero energy city.
The Community Energy Independence Initiative (CEII) will help the city to become more energy efficient by installing solar electric and thermal systems in up to 50 commercial, institutional and residential buildings, according to a city staff report.
A small portion — $35,000 — of the $532,098 project will be offset by U.S. Department of Energy grants. The rest of the costs will be covered by City Hall, city staff said.
The goal of the project is to push the city toward generating all the electricity it currently consumes.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 12, 2006. Read the original PDF.