ENERGY EFFICIENCY
In seeking a more resilient future, Blue Island must engage in energy efficiency efforts to reduce its consumption.
INTRODUCTION From adopting more green infrastructure to joining regional collaboratives dedicated to pursuing green technology, Blue Island has begun to act on the sense of urgency climate change brings. The city must be deliberate in its policy implementation and ensure that the decisionmaking process is participatory, collaborative, and forward thinking especially while considering a post-COVID-19 economic recovery. By implementing policies that reduce the city’s energy burden, Blue Island will not only be able to increase the quality of life of its residents but also gain more financial freedom to invest in other policies.
3.0 Housing INTRODUCTION Low-income households disproportionately face higher energy burdens and costs because it is difficult to fund necessary but costly home retrofitting. For this reason, this plan prioritizes facilitating retrofitting of all residential buildings, regardless of income. Census data indicates that a majority of Blue Island houses may retain outdated structural integrity causing unnecessary overproduction of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.43 Weatherizing these structures will improve the city’s resilience by reducing
