Stimulus to fund green jobs czar

Mayor Jim Suttle plans to hire a sustainability coordinator to take charge of city projects that aim to save energy and create green-related jobs.

The city is currently interviewing candidates for the job, which will pay $70,000 annually and will be part of the Planning Department, Catherine Leo, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said Monday.

The salary will be paid from federal stimulus money, not from the city's general fund.

The city Monday received $250,000 of the city's share of $4.3 million in stimulus funds for projects related to the environment. The initial funding will pay the sustainability coordinator's salary.

That person will measure the overall energy efficiency of city buildings and administer the stimulus funds for green-related projects, making sure the city complies with federal regulations.

President Barack Obama provided a total of $3.2 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The rest of the $250,000 Omaha received Monday will be used to pay for equipment and other supplies for the sustainability coordinator and to develop a plan for how the city will spend the rest of the money. Omaha has until late November to submit a plan to the Department of Energy for approval.

Most details of the strategy have yet to be decided, Leo said, but the money will be used for city projects.

The city is using $2 million of the stimulus funds to bring Minnesota-based CDC Enterprises Inc. to north Omaha. The company produces energy-efficient plastic air ducts. Suttle said the plant would bring as many as 200 jobs to the area, including about 30 later this summer or early fall.

Contact the writer:

444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com

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