The award was presented by Ameren Illinois to Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley in recognition of 19 Mount Vernon businesses that completed 26 ActOnEnergy projects between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011, according to George Justice, manager of Ameren Illinois Division VI.
"It's wonderful," Chesley said. "Through what I call a powerful partnership between the city and its businesses and industries, we are creating awareness, saving energy and helping the environment."
The projects, which received almost $265,000 in ActOnEnergy incentive payments, resulted in a savings of 4.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year for the businesses.
"That is enough electricity to meet the demands of 470 single-family homes for a year," Justice said. "Through these projects, power plant emissions and carbon footprints are reduced, resources are conserved and businesses become more competitive, all of which benefit employees, consumers and the community at large."
ActOnEnergy offers business customers - including private schools and nonprofits - energy efficiency incentives for lighting, refrigeration, motor systems and HVAC systems.
Incentives also are available for retro commissioning, multi-family buildings, commercial kitchen equipment and hotel and motel guest room energy management systems.
ActOnEnergy also offers a program for grain and livestock farmers, providing incentives for lighting upgrades, livestock waterers and such high-efficiency equipment as circulation fans, water heaters and exhaust fans.
Since ActOnEnergy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual incentive dollars available to business customers has grown from $3 million to $19.2 million. full story
