July 9, 2010

AWDA Takes the Lead on Green Projects for Youth

Mayor’s Youth Program participants have been hard at work this summer enriching the lives of residents in modest means communities. After weeks of training in low-flow water-kit and compact fluorescent light-bulb (CFL) installs, the “Eco-terns” as AMPS-Atlanta staff affectionately call them, have been visiting residents of the city of Atlanta retrofitting residents’ old light-bulbs and water fixtures free of charge.

After only a few weeks in the field the AMPS-Atlanta Ecoterns have been able to impact several modest means communities including Mechanicville, Cleveland Ave, Summerhill, and Donnelly just to name a few. In the field the Ecoterns are supported and supervised by a staff of local college students and recent graduates. Together with the Mayor’s Youth Program (MYP), the Let’s Raise a Million Project (LRAM), and the Department of Watershed Management (DWM); AMPS-Atlanta is intent on spreading environmental intelligence and educating Atlanta communities on the health, economic and environmental benefits of energy and water conservation.

This is the second year of the program. Last year AMPS managed to save the city over 2.5 million dollars by installing over 300 water kits and 4,600 bulbs. This year, the program is not only impacting Atlanta communities but has also expanded into Columbus, OH and Laurel MD illuminating the need to implement green solutions across the country that can provide cost saving measures for modest means residents. The energy conservation devices installed by AMPS-Atlanta include Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs) that are a type of fluorescent bulb that use less power, have a longer-rated life, and can save over $30.00 in electricity costs over the lamp's lifetime, compared to regular incandescent lights. The water efficiency kits, provided by the Department of Watershed Management, include a water-saving showerhead and low-flow water taps that are installed on sinks. The kits help residents reduce water consumption year-round and save money.
The last day the AMPS corps will be providing CFL light bulb exchanges and water efficiency kits, will be for residents of (location TBD), on July Aug. 5, 2009 starting at 10:30 am.  Representatives from DWM, AWDA, LRAM, and AMPS will be on hand to talk about the importance of this sustainability initiative for Atlanta.
AMPS-Atlanta is receiving funding from the City of Atlanta, and is housed at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency. AWDA, through the Mayors Youth Program, provided 40 youth who were selected to carry out the conservation initiatives of the program. Let’s Raise a Million is an Atlanta based non-profit dedicated to providing a million CFL light bulbs to residents of modest means across the United States. The Department of Watershed Management is the principal city department in charge of Atlanta’s drinking water and waste water system.

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