Local governments, schools, libraries, park districts, and forest preserve districts can take action in their own operations, in setting policy, and in educating the community.​

​

Operations

Energy Efficiency

ComEd Customers: Savings for Public Facilities

Are you looking for a surefire way to save money and use less energy? Look no further than the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program! Participation couldn’t be easier and ComEd has incentives available that can cover as much as 75% of your project cost.

Eligible entities:

Private

Retail stores

Warehouses

Convenience stores

Low rise offices

Restaurants

Public

Fire departments

Park districts

Libraries

Learning institutions

Federal, state and local governments

​

Building Energy Efficiency Assessments (available to ComEd customers)

​

Naperville IMEA Non-Residential incentives

IMEA offers a grant to Naperville's non-residential customers to be used for energy improvements. In 2023, $212,970 is available for non-residential customer grants for energy improvements. Examples of projects that might qualify include installation of light-emitting diode (LED) exterior and interior lighting systems. Additional applications for other programs, such as refrigeration; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; and efficient fans and motors are also available.

​

Solar

Solar is a great way to save money on your energy bills. Visit the US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for more information.

 

Local governments, schools, libraries, and other non-taxable public entities are now eligible for direct pay for solar projects, covering a minimum of 30% of the project costs. By meeting certain labor and sourcing requirements, the incentives go up from there: 10% for meeting labor requirements and 10% for meeting sourcing requirements. Check out this great explainer video and webpage from Solar States.

​

Local rebates are also available and can be stacked with federal incentives. Non-residential customers in Naperville can apply for a Renewable Energy Grant:

$50,000 maximum cost reimbursement award.
50% of the applicant’s total cost of the energy improvement project. 
 

ComEd Distributed Generation rebates

100 kW - 5000 kW demand class: $250/kW. 

<100 kW demand class: $300/kW

​

If owning a solar array is not a good option, depending on where you live, you can access community solar, join a Power Purchase Agreement, lease, or purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (also called Renewable Energy Credits or RECs).

​

Contact info@accelerateclimatesolutions.org and we can help you navigate your options and potential savings.

​

Learn more.

​

Waste

More local and state governments are passing laws and ordinances around plastic waste, including plastic bag bans or taxes and styrofoam takeout container bans. 

​

Customer-Facing Operations

• Encourage customers to bring their own bags by offering low-cost reusable bags or providing a discount.

• If you're a restaurant or coffee shop, eliminate single-use disposable items, such as paper coffee cups and plastic drink cups, for customers eating-in.

• Offer recycling with signage to help customers recycle right.

• Only provide cutlery, napkins, or a bag if requested by the customer.

• Compost.

​

Offices

• Make sure you employees, visitors, and clients have access to recycling.

• Encourage a reuse model by offering filtered water and glasses instead of plastic water bottles. Stock your office kitchen with reusable and microwaveable dishes and durable cutlery.

• Educate your employees about waste reduction, including eliminating unnecessary printing and how to recycle properly.

​

Industry and Building

• Hire an expert consultant to help you eliminate waste and save money.

• Developers can design around waste minimization and utilize construction and demolition (C&D) recycling.

​

Learn more.

​

Policy

Best Practices

Communities across the country are creating policies that address the impacts of climate change, support biodiversity, and reduce carbon pollution. Healthier residents, cleaner air, safer ways to get around, and job creation are the outcomes.

​

To learn more about sustainable cities best practices in the following sections, contact us for a consultation:

• Building energy codes

• Environmental justice

• Electric vehicle infrastructure

• Incentives

• Safe walking and biking routes

• Waste reduction and recycling

• Public transit

• Zoning