Posts tagged "Energy Efficiency"

Video: Save Farm Energy Programs

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Video: Save Farm Energy Programs

Illinois’ New Energy Efficiency Programs Can Cut Your Energy Bills by $100 This Year

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) are marking the first day of summer by urging Illinois residents to take advantage of $170 million in new rebates and discounts on energy-efficient appliances that can help ease the pain of high summer electric bills. New energy efficiency programs in Illinois began this June, just in time to lower your high summer energy bills and help protect the environment.

“Energy efficiency means making your home more comfortable while lowering your bills,” said Rob Kelter, Senior Attorney for the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “When we save energy, we cut down on air pollution by burning less coal and natural gas.”

“We’ve known for a long time that making your home more energy efficient is not only good for the planet, but it’s great for your pocketbook,” said CUB Energy Attorney and Outreach Advocate Celia Christiansen. “These energy-saving programs can put an extra $100 or more in your pocket. It’s a win-win on savings and the environment and that’s why CUB and ELPC are teaming up to promote the programs.”

ELPC and CUB outlined four easy ways energy-efficiency programs can save Ameren customers $100 or more this year.

• Replace Your Light Bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs. Don’t wait until your old bulbs burn out to start saving money. There are at least 15 light bulbs in most homes. Each CFL bulb can save about $7 a year, or $40 over the life of the bulb. Now customers can find CFLs for deep discounts, 35-66 percent, online or at stores. So it’s easy for everyone to make the switch and start saving money.
• Get an AC Makeover. Replacing your old central air conditioning unit can save you up to $200 a year—utility programs provide rebates up to $600 for efficient central air conditioners and $35 for window air conditioners.
• Recycle That Extra Fridge. Refrigerators use more energy than any other appliance except air conditioners. If you have an extra fridge or freezer running in your home, it’s costing you around $100 per year. Instead of spending $100 to run an extra fridge, Illinois utility companies will pay you $25-50 to pick up and recycle your old fridge.
• Buy a Programmable Thermostat. ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats are more accurate than non-digital thermostats and can help you maintain consistent comfort levels and save the average home $100 per year on electricity costs. Utility programs offer rebates on programmable thermostats

These programs are part of Illinois’ new efficiency standards, designed to reduce energy consumption in Illinois 25 percent by 2025. For details on these and other incentives, go to www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org, click on “Live Wire”

ELPC, CUB and other consumer advocates were instrumental in creating and designing these programs, which are projected to save Illinois consumers more than $200 million each year in lower energy bills. The incentives range from a $10 rebate on a smart power strip to a $300 rebate on a heat pump water heater.

ELPC Receives President’s Award From American Institute of Architects Illinois

Monday, November 9, 2009

ELPC was honored to receive the President’s Award from the American Institute of Architects Illinois for extraordinary achievements in advancing livable communities.  

The Award recognizes ELPC’s work to promote smart growth and energy efficiency, in particular our years of leadership and advocacy to establish Energy Efficient Building Codes for residential and commercial buildings in Illinois.

 A U.S. Department of Energy study estimated that Illinois’ Residential Energy Efficient Building Code will result in at least 15% savings annually on utility bills and will average homeowner more than $240 per year.

Interactive Tool Helps Consumers Find Ways To Lower Utility Bills and Save Energy

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Energy Star helps save consumers money and protect the environment by using energy more efficiently. Energy Star at Home is an interactive tool that can help you find easy ways to lower your bills and make your home more comfortable.

Strong Energy and Climate Legislation Will Boost Farm Income and Reduce Risk of Global Warming

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The following is a statement by Howard Learner, ELPC’s executive director, following the hearing today of the Senate Ag Committee on how climate legislation affects agriculture.

We agree with the USDA’s recent study showing that actions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution can produce long-term gains for farmers. It’s time for strong energy and climate legislation that will boost farm income and reduce the risk of global warming.

The costs of inaction are high—farmers and agricultural industries are particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and pests that will result from unchecked climate change. Federal climate solutions and clean energy legislation can help farmers and foresters tap into growing markets in carbon offsets, renewable energy generation, advanced biofuels and energy efficiency savings.

The USDA study, among others, shows that minimal short-term costs to farmers will soon be outpaced by significant long-term gains in income, job creation, and other rural development opportunities.

With a strong climate bill, including new investments in farm-based energy and conservation, the agricultural community can help lead efforts to protect and improve our health and environment while fueling our clean energy economy.

House Passes Historic Global Warming Solutions Bill!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Great news! Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic global warming solutions legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (219-212). This was no easy victory –  it was achieved in part through constituents’ many letters and phone calls asking legislators to vote “Yes” on the Waxman-Markey Bill.  ELPC and our many partners are now turning our strategic attention to the Senate.

Read Grist story quoting ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner on the passage of the bill. “Today’s vote creates momentum for our country to reduce global warming pollution and advance clean energy solutions,” said Howard A. Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.  “We appreciate the Midwest and Great Plains legislators who stood up for the future and voted in favor of this vital legislation.”

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Wisconsin Lt. Governor Calls on House to Pass Climate and Energy Bill

Friday, June 26, 2009

With a close vote expected on historic climate and energy legislation, Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor Lawton wrote to the Wisconsin congressional delegation urging representatives to vote for the Waxman-Markey bill. Read Lt. Governor Lawton’s letter here.

Call from individuals may be the best way to influence this important vote. Call your legislators today and ask them to vote  yes on the the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill.

Indianapolis Business and Environmental Leaders Call for Energy Efficiency Standards

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Business and environmental leaders gathered in Indianapolis on June 2nd to make the case for national efficiency standards that will help the state reap the benefits from energy efficiency. A recent study shows that energy efficiency standards can create thousands of new jobs in Indiana and save consumers over $1 billion on utility bills.

The backdrop to the event was a training class on building insulation, part of the weatherization job training program at the Indianapolis Community Action Association (INCAA). Energy efficiency funding in the federal economic stimulus has grown the training program at INCAA and created opportunities for unemployed workers in Indianapolis.

Read ELPC’s press release.

ELPC and Michigan Environmental Coalition Call for Rejection of Costly Consumer Energy Plan

Friday, May 1, 2009

Leading environmental organizations have filed a brief calling for the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the energy efficiency and renewable energy plan filed by Consumers Energy. The groups argue the plan costs consumers too much and the energy efficiency plan does not do enough to reduce customers’ bills.

The brief argues that Consumers prices renewable energy far too high, placing an unreasonable burden on ratepayers. The environmental coalition emphasizes that Consumers’ renewable energy plan asks ratepayers to pay 60% more for renewable energy than neighboring Detroit Edison has proposed in its plan ($174/MWh versus $108 per MWh).

The coalition of groups that include the Michigan Environmental Council, Ecology Center, the Environmental Law & Policy Center and the Natural Resources Defense Council have been active participants in the PSC review of the plan during the last 60 days.  Read the coalition press release.

National Clean Energy Standards

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Developing clean energy is critical to solving global warming, strengthening our economy and increasing our energy independence. A clean energy future will require us to use energy more efficiently and generate more of our electricity from clean, renewable sources including wind and solar power.

Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to meet our growing energy needs. Taking advantage of energy efficiency will lower consumers’ energy bills, reduce pollution and put hundreds of thousands of people to work performing energy audits, retrofitting older buildings, manufacturing energy efficient building materials and more. ELPC is part of the national Campaign for an Energy Efficient America that is pushing for nationwide energy efficiency standard- you can learn more at www.energyefficiencyworks.org  

Renewables

Generating electricity from renewable sources like wind, sunlight, plants, moving water and the earth’s heat will greatly reduce global warming pollution while increasing our energy independence creating new jobs and income, especially in rural America. Investing in clean energy will diversify our energy supply and create a sustainable way to move our country forward.

ELPC is working on state and local policies that encourage renewable energy development and is part of the coalition advocating for federal clean energy legislation. You can learn more at www.renewableenergyworks.org.

Working Together

In combination, energy efficiency, renewable energy and greenhouse gas cap-and-trade will greatly reduce global warming pollution, grow the clean energy economy and stabilize consumer energy prices. Click here to read an analysis of how the three components work together.

What can I Do?

Transitioning to a clean energy economy will take political courage. Contact your elected officials and ask them to support that national Energy Efficiency and Renewable Electricity standards.