Energy
Using energy efficiently has been a critical focus of CNT’s efforts to improve urban sustainability. In 2000, CNT Energy (formerly known as the Community Energy Cooperative) was created to explore new ways to measure energy usage and to assist individual consumers and concerned communities in achieving sustainable, affordable energy solutions.
The energy programs at CNT are consolidated under the division CNT Energy, a 501c(4) non-profit organization helping consumers and communities obtain the information and services they need to reduce their consumption and costs. CNT Energy’s areas of focus include building performance and energy efficiency, real-time electricity pricing, climate change analysis, regional energy planning, and green building research and evaluation.
CNT Energy offers consumer households up-to-date information on the rapidly changing energy market in Illinois. Members gain access to educational programs on managing energy costs, as well as opportunities to participate in pilot programs designed to benefit consumers.
CNT Energy will continue developing innovative programs and strategies to reduce energy consumption and costs, and will work to help communities become healthier and more sustainable.
To learn more about CNT Energy’s programs and tools, visit our Web site at www.cntenergy.org.
Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
The Illinois Smart Grid Initiative is a voluntary group of state and local government, consumer, business, environmental, and utility stakeholders that will work together to examine how consumers can benefit from comprehensive grid modernization in Illinois. The Initiative is a project of CNT and is funded by the Galvin Project and assisted by the Galvin Electricity Initiative and USDOE.
A series of stakeholder meetings will be held in the coming months to engage policymakers and other influential leaders in the state in a discussion of the critical grid issues, opportunities, and costs, and to develop policies to improve performance of the electric power system. The Initiative plans to conclude its year-long project by issuing a report identifying key steps for improving electricity services throughout the State.
“As part of our goal to make Chicago the most environmentally-friendly city in the nation, we should not overlook improvements to our electric power grid,” said Mayor Daley. “The work of this initiative is a major step in the right direction and underscores the need for making electricity grids smarter, more efficient and most importantly, better for the environment.”
“Grid modernization should be approached in a way that provides concrete net benefits to consumers,” said Kathryn Tholin, CNT’s CEO. “This project’s unique contribution to the national discussion on smart grids is its focus on the opportunities for consumers, including residents, businesses, and institutions.”
Read more in an article by the Herald News.
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Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
This month, CNT Energy will host workshops to help Illinois households manage their summer electricity costs. Attend a free Summer Energy Saving Workshop to get the information you need to enjoy the summer without blowing your budget on electricity.
You’ll also learn about your electricity pricing options, including the Power Smart Pricing program. Get informed about your choices, so you can pick the option that works best for you!
Get tips on managing your summer electricity usage and costs.
Discover low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy at home.
Get advice on how you can help protect the environment by using energy efficiently.
Learn about your electricity pricing options, including the Power Smart Pricing program.
Workshop Schedule
May 12, noon, Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine St, Urbana
May 12, 6 p.m., Springer Cultural Center, 301 N. Randolph St., Champaign
May 13, 6 p.m., Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St. (Rt. 9), Bloomington
May 14, 6 p.m., Gateway Building, 200 N.E. Water Street, Peoria
May 15, 6 p.m., Galesburg Community Center, 150 E. Simmons St., Galesburg
May 20, 6 p.m., Nichols Community Center, 515 East “D” Street, Belleville
May 21, 6 p.m., Carbondale Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale
May 22, 6 p.m., Decatur Civic Center, #1 Gary K Anderson Plaza, Decatur
Workshops are free of charge and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so please RSVP by calling CNT Energy at (773) 269-4037.
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Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 5:08 pm
You’ve gotten rid of your car, shop the local farmer’s market with your cloth bag, and purchased green tags to offset your vacation. And still not quite satisfied you are doing all you can to reduce your carbon footprint. Adapting your way of life is important so you want to feel like you’ve made strides that impact both the environment and your wallet.
You literally do not need to leave home to make the biggest impact because your home is one of the best possible sources to green in reducing your greenhouse gas emissions output. Residential buildings use enormous amounts of energy that come from carbon-emitting sources. And since Illinois only gets about 3% of its energy from non-polluting sources, in addition to demanding clean energy sources, we should also take steps to reduce our overall demand, no matter what the source.
So you buy CFL lightbulbs, Energy Star appliances, and planted native plants in your garden for shade. Now what? How about painting your roof a light, reflective color so your building reflects heat in the summer, lowering your air conditioning bill? Or adding insulation to help seal the walls and reduce the amount it takes to heat and cool indoors? Though these may not be the most “sexy”, cutting-edge green building practices, they are the hard-hitting steps to reducing your building’s energy consumption. Focusing on the building ’seal’ will save you money by reducing your energy consumption, while also reducing your dependence on polluting energy sources.
You can do all these initiatives on your own, or you can move to a building that does it already! The recent issue of Time Out Chicago featured eco-minded landlords and real estate properties. Check out the profile of CNT CEO, Kathy Tholin, and what she is doing to keep her building (and rent) sustainable.
Photo courtesy of Time Out Chicago: CNT CEO Kathy Tholin sitting atop her building’s solar panels
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