Energy
CNT Energy’s policy agenda focuses on expanding the reach of state efficiency programs, ensuring robust regional coordination among efficiency providers, and informing the national, state, and local debates over how best to create economic benefit through energy efficiency.
FEDERAL
Inform Federal Debates over Clean Energy. CNT Energy will assist its allies in the environmental community with efforts to enact a federal clean energy standard that encourages robust energy efficiency programs.
STATE
Support the Expansion and Implementation of Utility Energy Efficiency Portfolios. CNT Energy will continue to support efforts to expand the reach of Illinois’s utility efficiency portfolio programs. We’ll also work with utilities to better integrate comprehensive residential efficiency programs—such as CNT Energy Savers—into their portfolios. We will also support the inclusion of efficiency in the Illinois Power Agency procurement process.
Support the Integration of Electric Vehicles into the Illinois Electric Grid. CNT Energy is helping to inform the debate over the integration of electric vehicles into the Illinois electric grid. Our experience implementing dynamic pricing programs gives us unique insight into their potential to save electric vehicle owners money and provide stability to the electric grid.
Inform Legislative Discussions on the Value of a Smart Grid to Consumers. As Illinois utilities propose legislation related to Smart Grid investments, CNT Energy will provide comment on our experience with dynamic pricing programs that can be facilitated by advanced metering.
REGIONAL AND LOCAL
Introduce Energy Planning into Illinois Municipalities’ Comprehensive Planning Processes. CNT Energy’s planners are working with municipalities around the Chicago region to incorporate energy planning into their planning processes. We will continue to provide technical expertise and advice to cities and counties working to reduce their energy and transportation expenses.
Encourage and Support Regional Coordination among Energy Efficiency Providers. Hundreds of millions of dollars are invested annually by utilities, government programs, and private firms in energy efficiency throughout the Chicago region. However, a lack of coordination has resulted in a disorganized and confusing marketplace for consumers and contractors who have a difficult time navigating changing sources of incentives and program requirements. CNT Energy is working to create a well-coordinated, more cost-effective regional approach to energy efficiency as the implementation agency for the region’s Better Buildings grant program.
Shape Mayor Emanuel’s Energy Agenda. As a member of Mayor-Elect Rahm Emanuel’s transition team on energy, environment and public space, CEO Kathryn Tholin supported the Mayor-Elect’s efforts to save money, increase local investment, and create jobs by accelerating energy efficiency retrofits for municipal and private buildings in Chicago. Now that Mayor Emanuel has taken office, CNT will work with his administration to guide and support the city’s energy efficiency efforts.
