Citizen Input on Bloomberg Solar Grant

One citizen testifies before the city council with respect to withdrawing from the Bloomberg Grant.

Jimmy Coffman pointed out that the council should really try and understand the cost to the city, including the time after the grant expires. He notes that the grant does required the city to financially support the grant during the grant period of 3 years, but, that the city will face ongoing costs of an unknown amount.

It should be noted that the staff admitted in prior public meetings that the solar systems installed under the grant were not of sufficient size to pay for themselves over the long term. The city would still be required to subsidize the system at an unknown $ amount.

Coffman also pointed out that he has solar panels and batteries installed at his home and they "almost" generate enough electricity monthly to power his home. In other words, he uses all the electricity generated at his home to operate his home. There would be none left over for use by the city to meet its demands.

Mr Coffman indicated that a system of panels and batteries for meeting the needs of all of Georgetown would not be "viable".