Public forums to address energy efficiency in Iowa City’s rental housing

Iowa City landlords, tenants, and the general public are invited to a free public forum to explore mutually beneficial solutions to improving energy efficiency in Iowa City's rental housing. Speakers will kick off the forum by outlining the issues, challenges, and resources currently available. Following that, attendees will take part in solutions-focused, small group discussions. The forum will take place on Tuesday, July 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mercer Park's Scanlon Gymnasium in the Proctor and Gamble room.

"Meeting financial goals and operating more sustainably are not mutually exclusive," Sheila Samuelson, owner of Bright Green Strategy, a sustainability consulting firm, said. "For landlords, sustainability can differentiate properties, improve tenant retention, mitigate risk, reduce expenses, and provide many, many more benefits."

Information will be provided on low- or no-cost energy saving measures such as weatherization and insulation, low-flow showerhead replacements, and a host of other energy efficiency measures.

Light refreshments will be provided. For more information about these events contact Iowa City Summer of Solutions at iowacitysos@gmail.com or Sheila Samuelson at (319)-400-8285 and sheila@brightgreenstrategy.com.

The forum is sponsored by Iowa City Our Power, a project of Iowa City Summer of Solutions. Iowa City Summer of Solutions is a local organization that develops community-based projects focused on social and environmental justice. It is a program of Grand Aspirations, a national nonprofit organization empowering youth to develop local solutions toward creation of a green economy. Learn more at www.iowacitysos.org/ and http://grandaspirations.org/