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Among other "green" initiatives being unveiled by Detroit's mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. are a few standouts, in terms of energy policy. He's creating an Office of Energy and Sustainability within the mayor's office, and a "Green Council" of representatives from city agencies to find ways to improve energy use in city buildings.
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Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. unveiled a number of "green initiatives" on Wednesday for Detroit, a city known at least as much for its pollution-spewing factories as its green spaces and parks.
"Today we are all a bit more sensitive to the environment because we know the importance of being environmentally conscious," he said. "But we also realize that we can enhance economic development in the city of Detroit while generating new jobs just by being environmentally aware."
His newly created Office of Energy and Sustainability will be staffed by employees in his office.
Among the plans:
- Take steps to cut energy costs borne by the city that could be as modest as changing the type of light bulbs.
- Create a "Green Council" comprised of representatives from city agencies to find ways to improve energy use in city buildings.
- Start "Green Thumbs Up," which will bird-dog by this spring parcels of city land to community groups for urban gardening
Photo credit: Carrie Burnett 
