Going green is good for business
ComEd, DCEO roll out incentives to encourage customers to make more energy smart choices
By Barbara Connors, RCC
On the verge of a big rollout of programs by ComEd and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to encourage businesses and homeowners to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, Winnebago County Green Business, a new grassroots initiative, recognized four area companies that already are participating in sustainable business practices.
The WCGB steering committee received 43 nominations from organizations ranging from small businesses to large manufacturers.
The winners acknowledged at a May 29 event at the newly named Webbs Norman Center in downtown Rockford were:
Large Business Category: J.L.Clark, A CLARCOR Company, Rockford, which specializes in metal decorating and fabrication, has a green/sustainability team that collaborates with its Pennsylvania plant, vendors and suppliers to implement new ideas.
Small–Medium Business Category: Choices Natural Market, Rockford, sells food products grown or manufactured within 300 miles, and based on their eco-content. The retailer as much as possible uses biodegradable packaging, eliminates plastic bags and recycles.
Large Agency Category: Winnebago County’s Freedom Field Renewable Energy Project will use a solar thermal subsystem to heat and cool. The renewable energy technology center will enable the development and commercialization of renewable energy components and systems. In 2009, the project will include the installation of a biomass-to-energy subsystem expected to provide an additional 120,000 BTU/hour of usable heat captured from the energy conversion process.
Small-Medium Agency Category: Zion Development Corporation, Rockford, is committed to renovating existing structures while conserving all possible materials, using new materials made from recycled materials, and selecting equipment that uses conservation principles.
WCGB, a partnership of environmental agencies, professional associates, and the concerned public, is creating a Green Business Inventory. Businesses meeting established criteria will receive WCGB certification and be included in the WCGB online inventory at www.winncogreenbiz.org.
ComEd to Lead Utilities Pack in Green Initiatives
ComEd is working to lead the country in annual electricity savings with programs to encourage businesses, large and small, and residences to become more energy efficient.
Tim Melloch, manager of energy efficiency services at ComEd, outlined a three-year plan for a series of energy efficiency incentive programs at the Rockford Chamber’s May 14 Breakfast Buzz at Rock Valley College, Woodward Technology Center. If program targets are met, ComEd customers will reduce electricity usage by 1.2 million megawatt hours by mid-2011. “That’s equivalent to removing 100,000 cars from the road,” Melloch said.
When asked in order to be environmentally friendly what to look for when shopping, he said, “looking for the Energy Star logo on packaging is a good place to start.”
ComEd shares the administration of the programs with the Illinois DCEO, which will handle 25 percent of the overall funding; dedicated to municipalities, schools and low-income customers.
Going Green, Saving Money
- ComEd is prepared this year to offer businesses incentives for energy-saving measures, including pre-approved rebates for using environmentally friendly lighting, motors, HVAC equipment and chillers.
- Businesses can apply for incentives for more complex energy efficiency projects, such as industrial processes upgrades.
- Large commercial and industrial businesses participating in the Smart Returns “load response” program can receive financial incentives complying with ComEd’s requests to reduce electricity usage during times of high wholesale electricity prices.
- In June 2009, ComEd will launch a program for the new construction industry to get buildings above what current codes require.
Energy Efficiency in the Home
ComEd launches Residential Solutions, a program unfolding from 2008 to 2010, to encourage homeowners and landlords to pitch in to improve energy efficiency.
