Dearborn Seeks Sponsors for High Efficiency Lights
The city of Dearborn is seeking sponsors for the installation of 200 high-efficiency lights in two downtown west Dearborn parking decks.
Dearborn has already installed solar panels and electric vehicle chargers in its new east downtown parking garage and high-efficiency LED streetlights on Oakwood, south of Michigan.
This latest plan to expand the city’s use of green technologies is part of an overall initiative forwarded by the National Adopt-A-Watt Program to encourage the installation of energy efficient lights in communities and to promote the conservation of energy.
Adopt-A-Watt, based on the successful Adopt-A-Highway program, gives sponsors community recognition for funding of clean energy, alternative fuel and energy-efficiency projects.
Individuals, companies, foundations and non-profits can learn more about the National Adopt-A-Watt Program and sponsoring opportunities in Dearborn by visiting the NAAWP website by clicking HERE.
“Dearborn is committed to green initiatives, but we must be conscious of our financial challenges,” said Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. “The Adopt-A-Watt program is a way for Dearborn to boost our energy efficiency measures and install green technology without impacting our general fund. It is also a great example of how important partnerships are to the success of green initiatives.”
The Adopt-A-Watt program will arrange and coordinate all sponsorship, financing, installation and ongoing maintenance of the 200 high efficiency lights.
Funds raised above those expenses will be used to support other Dearborn clean energy projects, such as the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
Dave Norwood, Dearborn’s sustainability coordinator, said, “Dearborn has always been about the future. Ford Motor and in particular the Dearborn based F150 Assembly Plant have become superstars.”
Thomas A. Wither, founder and principal of the National Adopt-A-Watt Program, said, “Dearborn has long been a national leader in embracing 21st century energy as well as energy efficiency. This action further demonstrates their concern for the environment and desire to fully support our automakers’ move to electric vehicle transportation”.
“We greatly appreciate their participation in our program and we look forward to helping them further achieve their clean energy goals,” Wither said.
Matt Sandstom of the Clean Energy Coalition is equally enthusiastic.
“Investing in clean energy technologies is rapidly becoming the status quo for communities throughout the Detroit area,” Sandstom said.
“Electric vehicle charging stations are of particular importance in Dearborn and send a powerful message to automakers: cities can easily adapt to cleaner technologies and are willing to invest in the necessary infrastructure. Moreover, these investments will pave the way toward a cleaner, more energy-efficient community,” he said.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
That sounds great but please don’t forget about all of the brand new streetlights on Ford Rd. that don’t work, have never worked…
January 24th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Is this a joke? “Adopt-A-Watt”?
How about “Adopt-A-Mayor & City Council-Who-Put-The-Interests-Of-Residents-Businesses-All Taxpayers-Who-Had-No-Say-But-Tried-To-Tell-Them-to-Go-With-DJMaltese-Instead Of-Burton/Katzman/Farbman/Stein/Wine&Dine”?
How about “Adopt-A-Preferred Developer-Who- Acually-Has His or Her Own Money”?
How about “Adopt-A-Lightbulb-That-Will-Shine-In-The-Heads-Of-Dearborn’s-Otherwise in the Dark Leadership”?
Do that, and I’ll be in line with my check!!
January 24th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Oh, my, and won’t the broke but frontman for whoever, whatever,
Hakim “call me the luckiest man in Dearborn who must know where all that Guido trust fund money is hidden in the Cayman Islands” Fakhoury, profit/benefit from this absurd program?
January 25th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Can all the empty parking spaces be sponsors???
January 25th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Just Asking – No one says it better than you do. All valid points.
It’s too bad that the rest of Dearborn aren’t as aware and educated on the facts as you are.
January 27th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I personally believe if our leadership showed signs of leadership, they would have no problem with sponsors from the community, however, if u listen around the City they say our leadership is a joke — so show some signs of leading, and direction, and then look to the community, not backwards like u are trying to do now.
January 31st, 2011 at 7:24 pm
So this is what we pay big bucks to D. Norwood for! What dirt does he have, to justify his pay?