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Cool DuPage Update

GOAL ACHIEVED! FOR NOW.  One of the benchmarks of Cool DuPage is a greenhouse gas reduction of 10% by 2020.  The Environmental Division recently calculated the data from the baseline year of 2007 and found a 22% reduction of GHGs.  The majority of the reductions came from electricity use in the commercial and industrial sector.  While these savings are significant, there is still work to do! Keep up the great work reducing your footprint and check the website for information for updates.

EV Vehicle & Infrastructure Rebates

Considering buying an EV or installing an EV charging station at home or at the office? Well, 2022 could be a great time to do it with the EV benefits provided by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act! Starting on July 1^st, 2022, electric vehicles get rebates of $4,000 for Illinois residents and charging stations of level 2 or 3 can receive grants or rebates that will fund up to 80% of the installation cost.   

Business

New Webpage Launched Sustainability has continued to be an important topic for organizations of all types including businesses that want to show they are good stewards in their communities. That is why DuPage County is partnering with Choose DuPage on resources for businesses.  Check out the Sustainable Business Resources website. .  To start off, the site has information on certifications and other resources. Stay tuned for new educational offerings this spring and for more content as we build out this program. C-PACE Update In 2021, two significant PACE projects were approved.  The Drake Hotel closed on an extensive project including updates to windows, the building envelope, lighting, plumbing and many other efficiencies.  Check out the press release for more details. The program was also used to help finance the Garden Station project in Village Park, IL  The project is to planned to be constructed to meet Net Zero and Passive House certifications.   Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing (C-PACE) tool is administered by the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority NFP (IECA). C-PACE provides low-cost, long-term funding for a variety of sustainability projects in commercial buildings from energy efficiency to renewable energy and more. See the C-PACE page for more information.    Helpful Webinars Corporate Social Responsibility: How Businesses Can Create a Bright & Sustainable Future Connecting Riders to E-Bike Battery Recycling: A conversation with Call2Recycle and PeopleForBikes Achieving Zero Waste with Innovative Reuse and Recycling Contracts Don't forget to check the various programs and energy efficiency opportunities with ComEd and Nicor Gas.

Government

ComEd Powering Safe Communities Grant Program - Application deadline March 25th

For local governments it can be difficult with limited funds to act on sustainability projects that come with a higher up-front cost. Grant programs like ComEd’s Powering Communities Grant Program can help provide up to $10,000 for projects that range from charging stations to improving natural areas. The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has partnered with ComEd and is accepting applications. 

Residential

Is Solar an Option for You?

With so much attention going to increasing renewable energy at the state and federal level you might be wondering how can I get solar panels on my house. During 2021 unincorporated DuPage residents installed 94 kW of solar! 

Check out the resources below that can help make solar a reality for you. 

• See if net metering is offered by ComEd to your residence. With a solar system providing energy combined with net metering you would only be billed for the net amount of energy you use. Not only would you be going green you’d be saving on your energy bill as well!
• Consider looking into federal Renewable Energy Tax Credits provided through the IRS that can provide up to 26% of the solar energy system.
• Illinois has an incentive program called Illinois Shines which can offer payments for 15 years in exchange for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated by your solar panels.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Proper Disposal Kit

DuPage County has created graphics and a short video that can be used by businesses, parks or other organizations to help promote proper disposal of PPE. Items can be copied and pasted and used in a variety of online or print settings. Visit The DuPage County website for a images and more information.

Cool DuPage is an effort to reduce greenhouse gases throughout DuPage County. The three metrics for measuring success are kilowatts (electricity), therms (gas), and vehicle miles traveled. Our program aims to assist businesses, large and small, and residents on ways to reduce the various areas that fall under our metrics.