Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has created a new position overseeing the city’s efforts toward environmental sustainability.
That announcement comes in the midst of budget hearings, as the city braces for layoffs. But the new office will be paid for by a federal grant, and Dean says it could help the city obtain more money later on.
Dean is hoping to position the city to receive $6 million in federal funds for energy efficiency and conservation. He says the new office will show the city is committed to green initiatives, and could help the city bring in federal money.
“It will also help us, I think for future grants, help us identify them and let us be aware of exactly what’s out there for us to get.”
Dean has appointed Chris Bowles to the new office. Bowles is an environmental lawyer and graduate of Vanderbilt Law.
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Dean couldn’t say what specifically the city hopes to do with the $6 million grant, or when it will know whether the funds are coming through.
Bowles says he’ll start establishing priorities with city officials in about two weeks.
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