OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – A new energy plan has been approved by the Sustainability Advisory Board in order to implement ways Oshkosh can be more sustainable.
City planner Brandon Nielsen said much of the plan focuses on renewable energy. “A huge portion of this plan is solar feasibility. The city has about 40 buildings that it owns,” said Nielsen.
He said that the plan determines what buildings can be utilized for solar power, including City Hall, the public library, and the police department. Nielsen said the city is following the steps of Neenah, Menasha, and Appleton, which all use solar panels on their municipal buildings.
If Oshkosh implements the entire plan, the city could save up to 340k a year, putting the money back into the city’s pocket.
DNR warns of elevated fire danger as dry fall conditions persist across Wisconsin
“The goal is, I guess, to reduce our burden on utility bills. The more money we can save from spending at the utility company, the more we can use for our services here,” said Nielsen.
The city’s first grant for the project was funded by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, and Nielsen said it sets the city in good standing for future grants that will help fund the plan.
“The goal would be to implement as much grant money as possible to implement the pieces in this,” said Nielsen. The plan is expected to be introduced in the city throughout the next 15 years.
“If everything got implemented like the city recommends, it could save the city about 340k per year, cumulatively that’s a lot more, over ten years, that’s like three million dollars,” said Nielsen.
