Energy Efficiency | Renewable Energy | Natural Areas

	Lighting Upgrades | Green Building

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The Foundation's energy efficiency grant program accounts for the largest share of grants awarded. These energy efficiency projects are yielding substantial savings each year for cash strapped schools, libraries, community centers and local governments.

Innovation is a priority for the Foundation. By funding high-impact energy efficiency efforts, such as installation of electronic LED light bulbs in traffic signals throughout our state and the use of soy roof material, the Foundation is helping communities capture the potential of innovative efficient technologies.

The Foundation's energy efficiency grant programs strive to raise the standard of energy performance for Illinois communities.

Success Stories

School Lighting Upgrade Project Photo: Claudia Loucks / correspondent Joseph Wyffels, left, supervisor of grounds, and Leo Castelein, administrative director at St. Malachy's Church, Geneseo, replace one of the bulbs in a light fixture in St. Malachy's School hallway. The project was done to achieve more efficient lighting at a cost savings at the school, and was done with funds received through a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation and volunteer labor.

Grantee: St. Malachy School Amount: $7,866 Date: May 2007 They've seen the light at St. Malachy's By Claudia Loucks, GENESEO -- Let there be light -- energy efficient light. St. Malachy's Catholic School in Geneseo recently installed new lighting fixtures thanks to some grant money and loads of volunteer labor by parishioners. The school got a $7,866 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to replace bulbs and magnetic ballasts in 246 fluorescent fixtures throughout the school. The new electronic ballasts and bulbs were installed late last year by church volunteers spending nights and weekends to update the obsolete fixtures, according to grant writer Leo Castelein, school administrative director. Volunteers put in about 150 hours working in the project, he said. "The school was built 18 years ago, and it is time to look for areas in which we can become more cost efficient and more environmentally responsible," he said. "The new fluorescent lighting is more efficient, quieter and provides higher light output in every room," he said. "It also duplicates a more natural light. The longer-lasting electronic ballasts and smaller fluorescent light bulbs also provide a higher quality of light in the classrooms." New lamps in the four-foot fixtures should create savings of more than $10,000 per year, by consuming 13.1 fewer kilowatts, Mr. Castelein said.