Today, the Ameren Illinois Act On Energy© initiative awarded energy efficiency incentives totaling $20,815 to Bradley University of Peoria for a major lighting project.
The $163,000 energy efficiency project involved the installation of 1,817 high-efficiency lighting fixtures in the university’s Cullom-Davis Library. The project will produce annual energy savings of nearly 170,000 kilowatt-hours, an amount equal to the electricity used by 16 single family homes for a year.
“We continue to enjoy a fine working relationship with Ameren Illinois that is based on a history of trust, respect and appreciation,” said Bradley University President Joanne K. Glasser.
“The most recent lighting improvement in the Cullom-Davis Library is among a series of campus lighting retrofits to enhance efficiency and improve the ambiance to our educational environments. Our library has become increasingly user friendly for our students and faculty and Bradley looks forward to other new and exciting initiatives in the future.”
“Bradley University is to be congratulated for their creativity in addressing energy efficiency,” said Stan Ogden, Ameren Illinois vice president of Customer Service & Public Relations. “Not only has Bradley significantly reduced their energy usage, but through this project they are providing improved lighting for all of those who use and work in the Cullom-Davis Library.
“Through this project, Bradley University has set a great example others will follow. As the Bradley project demonstrates, Act On Energy incentives are designed to support projects that reduce energy consumption, decrease energy costs, improve comfort and productivity and reduce carbon footprints.”
Since Act On Energy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual incentive dollars available to customers has grown from $3 million to $10.5 million. The energy efficiency program is funded through a small charge (Rider EDR for electricity customers and Rider GER for electric customers) on customer bills. These charges are mandated by state law.
Act On Energy 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, E-Smart thermostats and hotel and motel guest room energy management systems.
There is 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.
Act On Energy also offers the Small Business Online Store, small business commercial kitchens program, grocery/convenience store incentives and custom incentives.
“Our business customers can realize significant savings when they participate in our program,” said Cheryl Miller, Act On Energy business program manager. “For example, replacing a standard T-12 fluorescent light fixture with a high-efficiency T-8 fluorescent fixture can reduce electricity consumption by 33 percent.
“Our energy efficiency professionals are ready to help our customers take advantage of the Act On Energy incentives so they can spend less on energy by using less.”
Complete business program information is available at ActOnEnergy.com, by calling 1-866-800-0747 or by sending an e-mail to ActOnEnergyBusiness@ameren.com.
Act On Energy offers incentives and rebates to residential customers. For more information on residential programs, visit ActOnEnergy.com, call 1-866-838-6918 or send an e-mail to: ActOnEnergyResidential@ameren.com.
Earlier this year, the Act On Energy program was honored by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), which awarded AIU with the “Inspiring Efficiency Innovation Award” for two programs. MEEA (www.mwalliance.org) is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.
Ameren Illinois (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) has been providing safe, reliable energy delivery service for more than a century. Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in more than 1,200 communities within a 43,700-square-mile service territory throughout Downstate Illinois.
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Contacts: Leigh Morris 1-217-535-5228, Victoria Busch 1-618-346-1286,
Neal Johnson 1-309-677-5284