Community and Faith-Based partners are lighting the pathway toward Energy efficiency in Kent County - not only through the use of Energy Star products but also with the addition of green built construction and certification.

On October 4, 2006, a press conference was held at one of these homes on Logan Street in Grand Rapids with participation by the Grand Rapids HUD field office, City of Grand Rapids and Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF), a nonprofit Faith Based organization.

Louis M. Berra, HUD Field Office Director provided an overview of the Department's partnership with the Dept. of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency in sponsoring Energy Awareness Month along with encouraging attendees to take an on-line pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture in their home with one that has earned the Government's Energy Star rating. Mayor George K. Heartwell then read a proclamation issued by the City of Grand Rapids highlighting the benefits of energy efficiency to consumers and businesses as well as protecting the environment and declaring October 2006 as Energy Month in the City of Grand Rapids followed by a presentation and tour by David DeVelder of ICCF.

In addition to the home on Logan Street, two other homes are under construction with energy saving/green features such as:

• Energy recovery ventilator (ERV), efficient fresh air exchange;
• Open cell foam insulation and caulking/sealing;
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs;
• Native landscaping/low maintenance landscaping/reduce turf grass/reduce storm water runoff to street;
• Low flow water devices,
• recycled/renewable building materials and more.

Louis M. Berra, Grand Rapids Field Office Director accepts the City of Grand Rapids proclamation declaring October 2006 as Energy Month from Grand Rapids Mayor George K. Heartwell.

David de Velder, Director of Real Estate Development & Construction for Inner City Christian Federation shows Louis M. Berra, Grand Rapids FOD and other attendees Energy Efficient furnace and insulation features installed at the Logan Street address that will be sold to a low-income family.