Over $100 Million in Federal Recovery Funds Available to Boost State’s Energy Efforts, Grow Illinois Economy

SPRINGFIELD - August 20, 2009. On behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today released guidelines for individuals and businesses interested in applying for state energy grants.  Last week, Governor Quinn announced that the U.S. Department of Energy had approved Illinois’ State Energy Plan (SEP), which will make over $100 million in federal recovery funding available for grants in Illinois.

“This application process is the first step in using federal recovery dollars to build on Illinois’ reputation as a leader in sustainability and ‘green practices,’” said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. “This funding will not only provide a boost to the state’s energy efforts during a critical time, but will also create greater opportunities to put more people to work and grow Illinois’ economy.” 

Organizations can apply for grants in the following program areas:

• Renewable Energy Production:  Supports the development and implementation of large solar photovoltaic, biomass/biogas to energy, hydroelectric, and other renewable energy technologies in Illinois.

• Community Renewable Energy:  Supports smaller scale solar, wind and other renewal energy projects.

• Green Industry Business Development:  Supports the development or expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency component manufacturers, dedicated biomass crops, the manufacturers of recycled content products, and recycling processing centers, among others.

• Green Roof Grants:  Supports development of cost-effective green roof projects that increase energy efficiency, clean and retain rainwater, and reduce “Urban Heat Island Effects.”

• Electric Energy Efficiency Program for Public Facilities:  Will provide incentives for projects that increase the energy efficiency of public sector entities outside of the Ameren Illinois and ComEd service territories.

• Thermal Efficiency Program for Public Facilities:  Supports projects that produce thermal energy savings through efficiency improvements in buildings, equipment or process.

• Large Customer Energy Efficiency:  Provides incentives for projects that reduce operating expenses through energy efficiency improvements for Illinois companies that use large amounts of energy.

• Next Generation Biofuels Production:  Provides incentives for next generation biofuel technologies that will reduce production costs by increasing production efficiency and reduce potentially harmful greenhouse gas emissions from these facilities.

For additional information, including how to apply for SEP grants, interested parties should visit:
www.illinoisenergy.org.