Regional Energy Planning

As communities and counties grow, there is a substantial increase in the demand for energy. Managing the load puts stress on publicly funded infrastructure. CNT Energy conducts a unique analysis of current population and land use data, future population and land use projections, and infrastructure and consumer energy usage data, offering technical assistance to help local governments plan for the energy needs of growing communities and develop energy efficiency strategies for managing growing energy demands.

Kane County Energy Solutions is an example of CNT’s approach to energy planning. CNT Energy, then the Community Energy Cooperative, coordinated the project and produced the Kane County Energy Plan (released in 2005) in cooperation with the Kane County Departments of Development and GIS Technologies, ComEd, and an advisory committee of local stakeholders.

CNT Energy’s energy planning services include energy and land use research and analysis and recommendations for incorporating energy policy into existing policies and zoning ordinances. The Cooperative also offers training and educational materials for planners, plan examiners, code enforcement officials, and elected officials.

Learn more at http://www.cntenergy.org/kane-county-energy-solutions.php.

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Publications

Kane County Energy Plan

(.pdf, 13.3mb)

News

August 21st, 2007 Eco-Friendly Landlords Make ‘Going Green’ More Than a Habit

You’ve gotten rid of your car, shop the local farmer’s market with your cloth bag, and purchased green tags to offset your vacation. And still not quite satisfied you are…

May 31st, 2007 Leaders Unite to Preserve the Chicago Region’s Affordable Rental Housing

Affordable housing, especially in the Chicago region, is increasingly difficult to acquire and is a threat to the economic future of the region. Today, area leaders in government, non-profit and…

January 8th, 2007 CNT’s Energy Cooperative in The New York Times

Monday’s front page of The New York Times (01/08/07) covered CNT’s Community Energy Cooperative and its role in today’s energy market. Read here about the Energy-Smart Pricing Plan and how consumers are…

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Energy

Projects

Climate Change Analysis

CNT Energy is part of a team assessing the carbon dioxide emissions of Chicago and the region, and developing strategies to reduce emissions.

Regional Energy Planning

Building off the Kane County Energy Plan, CNT Energy advocates the critical importance of planning for the changing energy environment and infrastructure needs in growing communities.

Green Building Research and Evaluation

CNT’s LEED-Platinum building is being used as a model and demonstration project to help others learn more about how to build the next generation of energy-efficient, cost-effective buildings.

Illinois Smart Grid Initiative

The ISGI is a public-private working group formed to engage Illinoisans in examining the nature and potential benefits of a modernized electric grid, and to map a policy path for achieving those benefits for consumers and the economy.

Tools

Building Performance Monitoring

Visualizing CNT is a Web-based tool to display energy use intensity, carbon emissions and water use.

Real-Time Energy Pricing

CNT Energy is a leader in developing and implementing successful real-time energy pricing programs for residential customers. We provide information, services, and tools to help manage electricity costs. For more information, see:

Cook County Energy Savers

This is a one-stop shop for owners of multi-family rental buildings with suggestions for energy efficient construction strategies and appliances for their properties.