It Takes the Whole Village to Sustain Itself

All levels of government in Illinois have a responsibility to save its taxpayers money through wise energy use and production. The federal government cannot be looked to for local leadership in community sustainability. Everyone has a role.

Practical solutions to high energy costs exist for libraries, park districts, K-12 schools and universities, and child care facilities. Since these entities are typically exempt from state and federal taxes they cannot take advantage of tax incentive programs that exist for for-profit business and home owners. They can, however, apply for targeted grants and loans that further improve the financial merit of energy-related investments.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation offers innovation grants to organization. For example, K-12 schools, child care centers, public libraries and park districts are eligible for grants to pay for energy-saving upgrades to the lamps, ballasts, fixtures and/or controls in existing indoor lighting systems. This is the last year for some of these programs and organizations need to apply before April 30, 2007.

Municipalities can benefit from the foundations efforts now, but must apply for funds immediately. The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation provides grants to support the replacement of incandescent traffic signal bulbs with energy efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs). They use solid state electronics to produce colored light. Manufacturers package clusters of individual LEDs into traffic signal units, which produce highly visible light and can be easily installed into existing traffic signal heads.

LED traffic signal upgrades offer many benefits:

• LEDs use up to 85% less energy, leading to less pollution
• LEDs last longer, reducing operating and maintenance expenses
• LEDs enhance safety through better light quality and visibility
• LEDs improve reliability, including the ability to run on batteries during utility power outages

Organizations without assigned staff to both monitor energy use and identify grant opportunities lose out on money saving opportunities. Smart leaders will assign energy issues a high priority in their organization if the planet is going to successfully address climate change.