The city of Tallahassee is bringing online programs to help cut the costs for a more energy efficient home, establishing a $450 rebate for solar water heating and an 80 percent rebate up to $500 on ceiling insulation, known as one of the most cost effective energy efficiency measures.

David Byrne, Tallahassee's Energy Services Director, said, "Since we're talking about programs we already offer, all it's going to be is changing some our administrative rules and we're ready to go."

The city will also soon offer two free energy efficient light bulbs, also known as compact fluorescent lamps, to customers requesting free energy audits. The efficient light bulbs use 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs.

Byrne said, "The idea is that the auditor will ask to install them in a lamp, especially where the usage is high so that way we get more effectiveness from it."

Tallahassee Mayor John Marks says this is just one step forward in the Capital City's clean energy portfolio.

Marks added, 'We're behind all these initiatives and we hope our customers get behind us as well."

Commissioners will learn more about an aggressive energy conservation plan next month and about a new biomass purchase power offer. This offer is coming from a Jacksonville company claiming it has the technology to convert waste like trash, old tires and sewage sludge into energy.

The city has already signed a purchase power deal with the Georgia based company, BG&E. Mayor Marks said Wednesday night, that biomass plant will be built in Leon County.

Commissioners also revisited a long-term energy conservation agreement with FSU. They voted to make the deal set in stone, as opposed to "conceptual," which concerned FSU. The miscommunications before were over how much energy FSU should be required to cut back on.