Project Traits
State: Nebraska
Congressional District: NE01
Organization Type: Utility
Partner Organization(s) Type: None or Unknown
Energy Sector: Buildings
Energy Subsector: Energy Efficiency, Weatherization
Project Start Year: 2023
Project Launch Year: Unknown
Government Support Received: Unknown
Outcomes & Impacts
Private Investment: $300,000
Jobs Announced or Created: Unknown
People Served: Unknown
Projected Economic Impact: Unknown
Lincoln Electric System has received $300,000 from Google to provide energy-efficient improvements for affordable housing units.
The money will help Lincoln continue the South of Downtown Rental Rehabilitation Program, a 2023 program that in part aims to improve energy efficiency for residents in portions of the city’s Near South and Everett neighborhoods.
The program offers $15,000 in financial assistance per dwelling unit to owners of affordable residential rental properties that fall within the boundaries of J and A streets going north to south, and South 10th and South 17th streets going west to east. These improvements can include high-efficiency heat pumps, upgraded insulation and smart thermostats, which LES assists with.
LES CEO Emeka Anyanwu said since 2023, the program has helped fund upgrades in 133 housing units using funds left over from the utility’s 2018 Sustainable Energy Program, and the new infusion of funds from Google will help pay for at least 50 more.
He said the improvements have yielded average annual bill savings of around $250 per apartment.
Google is currently in the process of building a data center in Lincoln and aiming to have it in service later this year.
Case Maranville, a landlord who owns properties in the area eligible for the program, said the funding assistance helps accomplish improvements without raising rent.