Project will address Energy Efficiency as Key Strategy to Improving Local Economy and Business Competitiveness
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod Blagojevich today announced $70,000 in Opportunity Returns funds for a Regional Energy Program in Carbondale and Union County. Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Regional Energy Program seeks to improve the local economy and business competitiveness within Illinois communities through increased energy efficiency. The United States Department of Energy’s (USDOE) Rebuild America Program jointly supports the project. The programs will be executed through the Rebuild Carbondale/Rebuild Union County partnership.
“Projects like these are expected to yield verifiable energy savings and energy efficiency improvements that will be of significant economic importance to both the Carbondale and Union County areas. Energy efficiency makes good economic sense for communities and businesses. The money saved through energy efficiency can be reinvested in the local economy, assisting businesses and residents alike. That is what Opportunity Returns is all about,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The project will focus on enhancing the knowledge of the energy user and transferring energy efficient technologies and procedures at the community level to improve the local economy and business competitiveness. Goals will be achieved through energy efficiency matching grants, assessments of existing building energy codes and energy related seminars, targeted short courses or workshops, and technical assistance and demonstration projects. DCEO expects to assist the community in understanding electric deregulation and its effect on utility costs, ways to reduce energy consumption, and proper sizing and selection of energy efficient equipment.
“The Regional Energy Program brings energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies and solutions to homes, businesses and communities in Illinois. Through our partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Rebuild America Program, we are able to highlight successful energy programs from around the state and provide unique networking tools and technical assistance to develop community energy projects for Illinois,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
One project example in Union County is the development of a community energy profile to identify trends in energy usage in business, residential and institutional sectors. The profile will provide a benchmark by which progress towards energy efficiency goals will be measured.
“Union County has not had any program like this before. Gov. Blagojevich is giving us a unique opportunity to promote energy efficiency, provide assistance to small businesses, schools and other public facilities, and help reduce energy costs,” said Marion Kaufman Tetzlaff, Union County Energy Coordinator.
Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.