European Energy Award - City Council decides to extend the City of Chemnitz's participation until the end of 2014
Yesterday, Chemnitz City Council approved the proposed resolution (B-011/2014) submitted by the administration to extend participation in the European Energy Award® (eea®) initially until 31 December 2014.
The reason for the decision is the energy policy task for cities and municipalities, which was recognised in 2009 with the city council resolution B-170/2009 on participation in the European Energy Award®. Chemnitz's commitment was recognised in 2011 with the silver award for the city.
Background:
Chemnitz is recognised in Saxony and beyond as being well-positioned in terms of energy efficiency and as a respected partner in the exchange of municipal experience. In the first half of 2013, for example, Chemnitz took first place in solar utilisation in the 13th round of the German Solar League in the new federal states among cities with a comparable number of inhabitants. The energy policy work programme also implements measures which, in addition to climate protection effects, also result in cost savings for the administration and its companies, such as equipping sports halls with LED technology and optimising the drinking water supply and heating systems.
In the 2009 resolution text, the City of Chemnitz's participation in the eea® was initially based on a four-year introductory phase until the end of 2012, which will end at the end of February 2014 following an extension of the funding period. The external re-audit with renewed certification is now due at the end of 2014: This is necessary in order to retain the title of "energy-saving city" and to continue to be able to take advantage of certain funding programmes or bonus funding. For this reason, an extension of the project term until 31 December 2014, and therefore until the end of the EU funding period, has now been decided by Chemnitz City Council.
Funds totalling a good 1,000 euros were earmarked for the eea® in the 2014 budget. With the decision to extend the programme, these funds will be increased and the additional necessary own funds of a good 3,600 euros will be secured by redistribution in the municipal budget.