Schaumburg Township District Library receives grant for energy efficiency

Submitted by Schaumburg Township District Library

A grant of $158,500 was awarded by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Public Sector Energy Efficiency Program to the Schaumburg Township District Library.

The library received the grant after making upgrades and improvements to the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems that will annually save 173,144 kilowatt hours — enough to power 19 homes for a year.

Additionally, it will save more than 17,000 therms of natural gas — the amount used by 26 homes in a year. This translates to a financial savings of nearly $50,000.

Funding for the grant was provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IL DCEO).

“We will continue to pursue any and all grant funding opportunities to achieve ongoing energy savings in an effort to control costs for our taxpayers,” said library Director Stephanie Sarnoff.

According to the IL DCEO, implementing cost-effective energy efficiency measures helps meet the state's energy-saving goals and enhances economic development in the state of Illinois through job creation and business development.

Edith Makra, director of environmental initiatives for the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus, said, “The Schaumburg Township District Library is a pioneer in this kind of sustainability work and we would like others to follow. We have more funding available this year and would like to see that other libraries have the opportunity to green their facilities.”