Tomorrow night, the Providence City Council will hear an ordinance proposed by Ward One Councilman Seth Yurdin that will create the position of a City Energy Manager. The Energy Manager will be charged with developing plans to reduce the City’s energy consumption and lower utility operating costs, and will oversee the implementation of those plans.

“Given the energy crisis our nation is currently in, we all need to become more energy efficient. The City needs to be proactive and set a positive example for our citizens and for the rest of the state,” said Councilman Yurdin. “Other cities around the nation have created similar positions and have quickly been able to have a positive impact on the environment.”

Shelia Dormody, Rhode Island Director of Clean Water Action, also applauded the ordinance, “Appointing a full-time employee to review and manage the City’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint is big step in the right direction.”

Yurdin also pointed to the potential financial benefits of this position, “I view this as an investment, both in terms of our planet and the financial health of our city. We’ve seen a dramatic rise in fuel costs recently so reducing our energy usage will lead to significant budget savings. He added, “Every dollar we save in utility costs is a dollar we can put towards improving our schools, fixing our roads, and lowering our taxes.” Yurdin noted that last year the City of Providence spent more than $7 million on electricity alone.