Under legislation passed in 2007, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is responsible for approximately 25% of the full Illinois energy efficiency portfolio. DCEO has nearly $13 million earmarked for energy efficiency programs in 2008, and is scheduled to spend over $80 million on energy efficiency programs over the next 3 years.
DCEO will utilize approximately 65% of its funds on public sector programs, 25% on low income programs, and 10% on market transformation programs.
Click here for a fact sheet on the energy efficiency programs offered by DCEO.
PUBLIC SECTOR PROGRAMS
DCEO's public sector energy efficiency programs are designed to serve the following customer segments:
- Local Governments (including municipal, township, & county facilities and special units of local government)
- State and Federal Agencies
- Public K-12 Schools & Public Community Colleges
- Public Universities
DCEO's energy efficiency programs feature standard incentives for a wide variety of common equipment upgrades, including the following:
- Lighting
- Cooling
- Refrigeration
- Motors
For municipalities and other eligible customers, DCEO offers significant financial incentives for converting to energy-efficient LED traffic signal modules.
DCEO offers custom incentives for non-standard projects or projects that differ significantly from standard equipment upgrades.
DCEO offers an extensive retro-commissioning program to identify and implement low cost tune-ups and adjustments to existing building operating systems.
And for new buildings, DCEO offers financial incentives for energy-efficiency new construction that goes beyond the latest Illinois Energy Conservation Code standards for commercial buildings.
For more information on these programs, including program contact info, eligibility requirements, and further program details, visit illinoisenergy.org or download the DCEO Public Sector Program Guidelines, Application, and Worksheets file.
LOW INCOME PROGRAMS
Pursuant to this legislation, DCEO is expanding its Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program (EEAHCP). Under the EEAHCP, grants are provided to Illinois based non-profit housing developers to include energy efficient building practices in the rehab or new construction of affordable housing units. The new program will be available to for-profit developers as well and include additional electricity savings measures. Click here for a document containing program guidelines.
Additionally, DCEO is offering a Residential Retrofit Program to provide funding to leverage existing low income weatherization and home improvement programs to maximize electricity savings. To implement this program, DCEO is partnering with state agencies, local governments, lending institutions, housing authorities, and affordable housing developers for direct installation or funding of efficiency measures in low income households.
For more information about DCEO's low income energy efficiency programs, contact Maureen Davlin, (217) 785-2373, maureen.davlin@illinois.gov
MARKET TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMS
DCEO provides technical assistance services through the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), staffed with engineers and energy professionals from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's School of Architecture. SEDAC provides free technical assistance services to businesses, state and local government facilities, public schools, community colleges, universities and colleges to assist clients who are considering energy efficiency improvements at existing facilities or to enhance baseline design of new facilities. For more information on SEDAC, visit www.sedac.org.
DCEO also offers a Large-Customer Energy Analysis Program (LEAP), intended to assist large customers (companies and public organizations with over $500,000 in annual utility costs) with developing an energy plan resulting in 10%-30% annual energy savings. For more information on how to use LEAP, contact Wayne Hartel, (217) 785-3420, wayne.hartel@illinois.gov
DCEO is also offering a series of training and education programs. For guidelines on participating in the Building Industry Training and Education Program, click here. For guidelines on participating in Illinois Sustainable Education Projects, click here.
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To learn more about these programs and other energy efficiency opportunities offered by DCEO, visit their website at www.illinoisenergy.org.