News for April, 2009

Salutes to Scott Bernstein and Jacky Grimshaw!

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Two of CNT’s leaders are being recognized this Spring for their work in changing the urban landscape in Chicago and around the world.

CNT’s President and Founder Scott Bernstein is being recognized as Chicago region’s public interest hero for making a significant positive change to the region over the last 30 years. On May 1, 2009, Scott will receive a “BPI’s 40 Who’ve Made a Difference Award.” Scott has been a true champion of cities. His vision that “place matters” has made change happen, from the formation of the city of Chicago’s energy code, to piloting Location Efficient Mortgages, to putting forth an urban agenda that stresses that housing and transportation affordability as the key to developing sustainable and livable cities. From his early days as an organizer on Chicago’s west side to testifying in front of Congressional committees, Scott has worked to improve the quality of life for all urban dwellers. For over 30 years, Scott has led the charge in demonstrating that cities and their people are assets in addressing economic and environmental challenges.

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Report from Illinois Smart Grid Initiative Explores the Benefits of a Modern Electricity Grid in Illinois

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Chicago, IL - Today, the Illinois Smart Grid Initiative (ISGI) released “Empowering Consumers through a Modern Electric Grid”, a report on the potential benefits of a modernized electric grid that maps a policy path for achieving those benefits for consumers and the economy. At a time when both President Obama’s Administration and Congress have prioritized electric grid modernization and the jobs potential it holds, Illinois is well positioned to become the national leader in the adoption of a truly consumer-focused smart grid.

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I-GO Adds Plug-in Hybrids to Fleet

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

I-GO PHEV(From I-GO’s Motormouth blog)

Ever wonder what it’d be like to drive a car that gets 100 miles to the gallon? You don’t have to wait until 2015, the deadline President Barack Obama set in his New Energy For America plan to put one million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on the road. Thanks to generous support from ComEd, I-GO just added two plug-in hybrids to its fleet. On a fully charged battery, these cars are capable of achieving fuel economy in excess of 100 mpg and reducing CO2 emissions by up to two-thirds over the standard Prius.

The cars—converted 2009 Toyota Priuses—are located in the Millennium Park north garage at 201 E. Randolph Dr., and at 900 S. Clark St. in the AMLI 900 residential tower’s garage.

Read more about I-GO’s new plug-in electric vehicles >>

Addition: On April 21, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, will join I-GO and ComEd at the Thompson Center to unveil the two new plug-in electric hybrid vehicles.  Read more in the Press Release.


Report from Illinois Smart Grid Initiative Explores the Benefits of a Modern Electricity Grid in Illinois

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

smartgridreportcoverThe Illinois Smart Grid Initiative (ISGI)’s new report, “Empowering Consumers through a Modern Electric Grid”, explores the potential benefits of a modernized electric grid and maps a policy path for achieving those benefits for consumers and the economy. At a time when both President Obama’s Administration and Congress have prioritized electric grid modernization and the jobs potential it holds, Illinois is well positioned to become the national leader in the adoption of a truly consumer-focused smart grid.

Illinois residents face $6-11 billion annually in costs related to power outages and power disruptions, with many communities experiencing outage levels far above the national average. The ISGI Report outlines how a smart grid can fundamentally improve reliability and efficiency, integrate renewable energy on the local level, and empower consumers to take charge of and reduce their electricity bills–while saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

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