Learn more about Environmental Law at Schiff Hardin. For more information, contact one of the following attorneys: Amy Antoniolli Kathleen C. Bassi Stephen J. Bonebrake Renee Cipriano Daniel J. Deeb Jeremy R. Hojnicki Bina Joshi Kathryn M. Long David M. Loring Jane E. Montgomery Joshua R. More Mary Ann Mullin Paul M. Previde Gabriel M. Rodriguez Andrew N. Sawula Rocky N. Unruh Sarah D. Youngblood Schiff Hardin Offices One Atlantic Center, Suite 2300 1201 West Peachtree Atlanta, GA 30309 225 Franklin Street, Suite 2600  Boston, MA 02110  233 S Wacker Drive Suite 6600 Chicago, IL 60606 One Westminster Place Suite 200 Lake Forest, IL 60045 900 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 One Market, Spear Tower 32nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 1666 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 - - - - - - - - - Join our mailing list. Forward this profile to a friend or colleague. - - - - - - - - -

Over $100 Million in Federal Recovery Funding Available for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects in Illinois

On August 14, 2009, the United States Department of Energy approved the Illinois' Energy Plan, submitted as part of the Federal State Energy Program. Over $100 million in federal recovery funding has been made available to Illinois for grants to implement the approved Energy Plan by investing in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, green buildings, biofuels and green industry. The Energy Plan is being administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity ("DCEO"). DCEO is currently accepting applications seeking funding for projects related to the following programs:

• Green Roof Program: This program will provide support for projects where a building roof will be partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. Application deadline: October 1, 2009.
• Electric Efficiency Program: This program will provide support for (1) projects that increase the electrical energy efficiency of local, state and federal governments and public school districts, community college districts, and public colleges and universities located outside the Illinois electric service territories of Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison, and (2) projects by non-investor-owned utilities ("non-IOU") to develop and administer electric efficiency programs that benefit customers or members of the non-IOU. Application deadline: October 1, 2009.
• Thermal Efficiency Program: This program will provide support for public sector entities that improve the energy efficiency of thermal equipment or processes. Application deadline: October 1, 2009.
• Large Customer Energy Efficiency Program: This program will support projects involving cost-effective natural gas and other thermal efficiency measures for entities outside of the Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois service territories with at least $500,000 in annual energy costs. Application deadline: October 1, 2009.
• Renewable Energy Production Program: This program will provide support for renewable power generation, such as wind, solar, biogas, biomass and hydro-electric electricity production. Application deadline: October 26, 2009.
• Community Renewable Energy Program: This program will provide support for small scale community wind projects. Application deadline: October 26, 2009.
• Green Industry Business Development Program: This program will provide support to manufacturers or producers that expand Illinois' capabilities to support further development of markets for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and recycled content products. Application deadline: October 26, 2009.
• Next Generation Biofuels Production Program: This program will provide support for projects that that increase the overall efficiency of the renewable fuel production process or reduce the overall full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of the renewable fuel produced. Application deadline: October 26, 2009.

Further information about all of these programs can be found at the DCEO Web site.

For questions regarding this Environmental Update, please contact any of the attorneys in Schiff Hardin's Environmental Group.

RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATIONS

"Illinois Passes Law Expanding Financing For Clean Coal, Coal and Renewable Energy Projects," Environmental Update (August 26, 2009)
"EPA Proposes Revised NO₂ Standards," Environmental Update (July 10, 2009)
"Georgia Appeals Court Reverses a Lower Court Decision That a PSD Air Permit Must Contain CO₂ Emission Limits," Environmental Update (July 9, 2009)
"EPA Lists 44 "High Hazard Potential" Coal Ash Sites," Environmental Update (June 30, 2009)

ABOUT SCHIFF HARDIN LLP

Schiff Hardin's diverse environmental practice advises clients engaged in a wide variety of industries and commercial endeavors such as electric generation, natural gas distribution and production, chemical manufacturing, auto and auto parts manufacturing, consumer goods manufacturing, real estate development and investments by financial institutions and equity investors.

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