Detroit is already making big plans that would help them cash in on President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed $150 billion economic stimulus package. The bill package will have a designated amount of money earmarked to fund energy conservation and sustainable living projects.

That could be why Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel announced Wednesday that the city will open the Detroit Office of Energy and Sustainability (OES).

 

Cockrel said in a news statement that the office was created to conserve the city budget and use “green” technology and practices to attract jobs and investments to the city.

Obama’s economic stimulus will put money toward weatherizing homes, recycling programs, energy saving techniques and mass transit.

Though Cockrel did not say he planned on using money from Obama’s stimulus package, a lot for the goals set by OES are very similar to the ones outlined in Obama’s plan. That’s why the city is likely to get funding for this program.

The Detroit Office of Energy and Sustainability’s goals will be to save city energy costs by changing the type of light bulbs used, create a program geared to help urban farmers, and create a “green council” made of city workers from different departments so they can discuss ways to conserve energy in the city.

Detroit is a city that needs this type of program most. If implemented right and Obama’s money comes through, this there’s a lot of potential here.