San Diego will use some of its federal stimulus money to make Balboa Park greener. KPBS reporter Katie Orr explains that doesn’t mean planting more trees.
Mayor Jerry Sanders says $5 million dollars in federal stimulus money will be used to install solar panels on buildings in Balboa Park. He says the panels will produce three megawatts of electricity and supply two thirds of the park’s energy needs. San Diego does not have the stimulus money in hand yet, but Sanders says he’s confident it will come through.
“This is one of the block grants. We know that we’ll get it. And we think that it’s time to start moving on many of these projects so that we’re ready the second the money comes in to start using it,” he says.
Sanders says the installation of the panels should begin within a year. The project will take about six months to complete. The total cost of the project is $30 million. Solar energy provider Sun Edison will pay for most of it.
Katie Orr, KPBS News.
