Inside City Hall: Atlanta getting millions to boost city’s sustainability efforts

The city of Atlanta is getting an influx of cash to help reach a lofty goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2035.

Atlanta was chosen along with 25 other cities by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of a nationwide initiative that utilizes $400 billion in federal funding over the course of three years to help cities address climate change and communities adapt to new environmental challenges.

Through the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program, the city of Atlanta will receive an initiative-funded team of researchers to aid in climate mitigation and drive policy changes to better prepare the city to address the problem in the future.

“Like many of our efforts, reaching our sustainability and equity goals is a group project,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “This is an opportunity for us to collaborate with cities facing similar challenges, share best practices and tap into resources to fight climate change and enhance the quality of life for all Atlantans.”

The city is no stranger to extreme weather events — particularly intense heat and severe flooding. City Council members Liliana Bakhtiari and Matt Westmoreland commissioned a neighborhood heat vulnerability assessment last year that evaluated the heat mortality and flood risk in each of Atlanta’s 249 neighborhoods.

The findings highlighted the city’s crucial role in helping mitigate the impact of severe weather by taking steps like protecting Atlanta’s tree canopy. But the city’s track record aiding residents during and after severe weather events is murky.

A group of westside residents announced this month they are suing the city’s response to the Sept. 14 flash flood and management of the sewer and water system.

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Speaking of the environment, Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience gave City Council members an update last week on the Dickens administration’s sustainability goals going forward.

City officials said they are working on an updated climate plan to help address challenges like transportation emissions and tree canopy protections.

On the path to make Atlanta 100% energy clean, the city is hoping to hit 30% energy clean by 2025. As of this month, the city is about halfway there.

City officials said they’re encouraging the use of electric vehicles, updating the city’s building ordinances and expanding use of solar panels.

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Atlanta’s firefighters and medical first responders have the chance to receive up to $30,000 to help purchase a home near their job. Applications are open for the “Housing Heroes” program run through the Atlanta Fire Foundation that aims to help firefighters and EMTs live closer to their assigned station.

Fire department members who are first-time homebuyer can apply for the one-time grant to go toward a down payment or closing costs when purchasing a home. Interested individuals who qualify can find out more at https://www.atlfrf.org/ housingforheroes.

RILEY BUNCH/RILEY.BUNCH@AJC.COM Some members of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and other medical first responders in the city can apply for financial help toward a down payment on a home closer to their workplace.