Ameren: Central Illinois acted on energy
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 January 2012 14:27
- Written by The Peorian
Four central Illinois cities were honored Monday by Ameren Illinois for their work toward helping area business become more energy efficient.
Ameren officials presented the ActOnEnergy Most Progressive City Award to Peoria, East Peoria, Mapleton and Pekin during a ceremony in downtown Peoria. The awards were accepted by Mayors Jim Ardis of Peoria, Dave Mingus of East Peoria, Laurie Barra of Pekin and Village President Ken Oederwaldt of Mapleton.
Ameren said that between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011 164 businesses in those communities completed 219 different ActOnEnergy projects that received nearly $1.3 million in incentive payments.
"These projects are now saving East Peoria, Mapleton, Pekin and Peoria businesses more than 31.8 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. That is enough electricity to meet the demands of 3,180 single family homes for a year," said Carl Spence, manager of Ameren Illinois Division I.
"Through these projects, power plant emissions and carbon footprints are reduced, resources are conserved and businesses become more competitive, all of which benefit employees, consumers and the community at large," Spence said.
According to Ameren, the successes on those cities were:
• East Peoria: 23 companies. 30 projects. $241,143 in incentives. Saving 7.9 million kilowatt-hours annually.
• Mapleton: 4 companies. 5 projects. $73,735 in incentives. Saving 6.9 million kilowatt-hours annually.
• Pekin: 33 companies. 38 projects. $91,898 in incentives. Saving 1.7 million kilowatt-hours annually.
• Peoria: 104 companies. 146 projects. $863,777 in incentives. Saving 13.6 million kilowatt-hours annually.
Since ActOnEnergy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual incentive dollars available to business customers has grown from $3 million to $19.2 million, the company said. The program is funded through a small charge (Rider EDR for electricity customers and Rider GER for natural gas customers) on customer bills. These charges are mandated by state law.
According to Ameren, ActOnEnergy offers business customers, including private schools and nonprofits, energy efficiency incentives for lighting, refrigeration, motor systems and HVAC systems. Incentives also are available for retro commissioning, multi-family buildings, commercial kitchen equipment and hotel and motel guest room energy management systems. There is a program for grain and livestock farmers, providing incentives for lighting upgrades, livestock waterers and such high-efficiency equipment as circulation fans, water heaters and exhaust fans.
ActOnEnergy also offers the Online Store, commercial kitchens program, grocery/convenience store incentives and custom incentives, the company said.
"Our business customers can realize significant savings when they participate in our program," said Cheryl Miller, ActOnEnergy business program manager, in a news release. "For example, replacing a standard T-12 fluorescent light fixture with a high-efficiency T-8 fluorescent fixture can reduce electricity consumption by 33 percent. Our energy efficiency professionals are ready to help our customers take advantage of the ActOnEnergy incentives so they can spend less on energy by using less."
Complete business program information is available at ActOnEnergy.com, by calling (866) 800-0747 or by sending an e-mail to ActOnEnergyBusiness@ameren.com.
ActOnEnergy also offers incentives and rebates to residential customers. For more information on residential programs, visit ActOnEnergy.com, call (866) 838-6918 or send an e-mail to: ActOnEnergyResidential@ameren.com.
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in downstate Illinois, with a service area that covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles.
