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Water & Energy
Lima and other Ohio cities prioritize sustainable energy
By LAUREN CAGGIANO | The Municipal
Lima, Ohio, is setting an example for other cities of what it means to prioritize sustainability in 2021 and beyond. Look no further than its membership in Power a Clean Future Ohio, a nonpartisan coalition dedicated to helping cities and towns move away from pollution-generating energy sources. According to Clean Fuels Ohio, the state currently stands as the nation’s sixthlargest emitter of greenhouse gases, presenting an opportunity for carbon pollution reduction initiatives in the state to make a significant impact. Speaking of impact, Power a Clean Future Ohio now has more than a dozen communities that have signed on to the pledge. Its supporters range from local chambers of commerce and Ohio Conservative Energy Forum to conservation groups. As for Lima, Chief of Staff Sharetta Smith said this commitment represents a continuation of their efforts. For example, the city in northwest Ohio benefited from federal 50 THE MUNICIPAL | AUGUST 2021
energy grants in 2008 and 2009 to make the transition to LED lighting inside the city’s buildings and some government-owned streetlights. The city had considered using grants more recently to replace its more than 75 vehicles over time, but that grant money was no longer available. That’s why, according to Smith, the city has set its sights on evaluating possible clean energy solutions for its fleet of vehicles.
Sharetta Smith, Chief of Staff, Lima, Ohio
The interest is still there — the city just needs to be able to afford the project. “We’re interested in picking that work back up, starting with the analysis of moving to alternative fuel use for our vehicles, but then working through the process to get some technical training to create a sustainability
