Creating a Chicago Regional Building Energy Efficiency System
The Center for Neighborhood Technology, a Regional ARRA Coordinating Council (RACC) member, published a new report, “Creating a Chicago Regional Building Energy Efficiency System .”  The report details short- and long-term opportunities for the metropolitan Chicago region to bring all commercial and residential buildings up to 21st Century energy efficiency standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.  In the report, CNT proposes a two-track process of identifying funding and then creating/designing a network or institution to carry on energy efficiency work over the long term.  ARRA funding can be wisely used to "jumpstart the creation of a market and infrastructure for accomplishing [energy efficiency]," and financing from utilities and others can help sustain this work over the long term, according to the report.  CNT’s own LEED Platinum office building demonstrates how energy efficient retrofits can be a good investment.