Kane County energy plan could save nearly $1 billion

Reviving a long-tabled energy conservation plan in Kane County could net nearly $1 billion in savings if all its goals are realized.

County staff formulated an energy plan in 2005 aimed at reducing the rate of electricity demand growth projected to follow overall population growth in the county. The yearlong study suggested multiple steps to zap the growth of electricity use by 30 percent. That would result in lower electric bills for residents and lower infrastructure costs for ComEd. The study, though, was never presented to the Kane County Board and none of the suggestions were implemented.

No one could explain who dropped the ball on the plan Wednesday when it was presented to the county board's new Energy and Environmental Committee. But everyone agreed updating the plan and then acting on it might be a good idea.

The updated plan might scale back the projected savings as the housing crisis has slowed some of the rapid population growth forecast for the county as of 2005. That said, many of the ideas in the 2005 plan would still cut local energy costs even if only a fraction of the projected growth occurs. That includes the delay or negation of the need for new power substations and other infrastructure, such as the transmission line once proposed for Randall Road in 2002.

The plan proposes 13 steps, in priority order, for immediate action:

1. Offer incentives for residents and businesses to retrofit all their lighting systems with energy-efficient bulbs.

2. Target Aurora, Batavia and Elgin for an educational campaign about ways to reduce energy consumption.

3. Take energy efficiency education programs to residents and businesses. Business is responsible for 75 percent of electricity use.

4. Encourage energy consumption audits of all consumers, especially for buildings that receive public funding.

5. Have municipalities adopt a checklist for new construction to encourage efficient insulation, appliances and HVAC systems.

6. Rank school districts by energy efficiency to encourage them to improve and set examples for their students.

7. Create a reference of the building codes of all 28 municipalities. Encourage energy efficient buildings and certification.

8. Have all municipalities adopt the Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings.

9. Create a program to help residents replace older air conditioning units with more efficient models.

10. Finance energy efficient commercial motors and refrigeration systems through ComEd and the Tri-Cities electric utilities.

11. Encourage residential replacement of old refrigerators with energy efficient models.

12. Implement real-time pricing of electricity to show residents the increased cost they experience during peak demand times.

13. Have ComEd and the Tri-Cities utilities install smart meters on all new residential construction to provide better energy data.