Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich recently announced $400,000 in new funding for design assistance grants for “green” commercial buildings. These design assistance grants, available through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, are for businesses using the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building rating system.
“As energy bills continue increasing, one of the best ways for businesses to lock in low energy costs is to build the most efficient building possible,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “Through this new pilot program, businesses can not only save money but also reduce waste and help the environment at the same time. When companies spend less on energy costs, they can spend more on expanding their businesses and creating more jobs.”
LEED is a voluntary rating system promoted by the U.S. Green Building Council to allow building owners and developers to benchmark the environmental performance of their building relative to others. The LEED system considers environmental factors such as the energy efficiency of the building, the use of renewable energy and the use of recycled content building materials, among other factors. For more information on LEED, see www.usgbc.org.
Under the new pilot program, businesses with commercial building construction and renovation projects will be eligible to apply for awards of up to $100,000 if they meet the LEED Gold level of performance, achieve an energy performance of at least 20 percent beyond the minimum energy code and incorporate best practices in solid waste management.
“Green buildings are a high growth area, and when Gov. Blagojevich puts his seal of approval on green building practices by announcing this program, it helps make the industry real and moves us another big step forward,” said Lois Vitt Sale of Phoenix Architects and the chair of the Chicago Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. “This funding will be very helpful to move more green building projects forward.”
Guidelines for the program are available on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Web site at www.illinoisenergy.org. Projects seeking to apply under the new program must submit a preliminary notice of intent to apply by November 15 and final applications are due January 2, 2006.
Green design incorporates design practices that significantly reduces or eliminates the negative impact of buildings on the environment and the building occupants.
Funding for the program was made available from two sources. Half of the funding comes from a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to DCEO to support this program, and half of the funding comes from the Illinois Solid Waste Management Fund as administered by DCEO. Because the program brings benefits in both energy conservation and solid waste reduction, the program is funded through both sources.
“The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation has had a very successful program for the past five years to support the design and commissioning of LEED projects to not-for-profits and government agencies,” said Phil Novak, Chair of the Foundation. “With the new DCEO program and the Foundation program, funding for LEED projects will be available to all sectors as an incentive to develop state-of-the-art green buildings.”
Prior Foundation grants have resulted in 60 successful green schools, college buildings, museums and affordable housing models in communities across Illinois.
For MORE NEWS BRIEFS, click here.
For a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Expansion Management, click here.
Go to STATE SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this state.
Go to INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this industry sector.
Means the article is accessible only to our magazine subscribers.
