News for January, 2012
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Join us for a webinar on February 13
Space is limited.
Reserve your spot now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/432692518
Energy efficiency upgrades in multifamily buildings could save building owners and residents up to $3.4 billion nationwide, according to a report by CNT Energy and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
Engaging as Partners in Energy Efficiency: Multifamily Housing and Utilities demonstrates that energy use in multifamily buildings can be reduced substantially, and cost-effective upgrades can result in utility cost savings of 15 to 30 percent in buildings with five or more residential units. The key to unlocking the savings, the report finds, is for energy utilities and apartment building owners to work together more closely to develop effective energy efficiency policies.
Join CNT Energy and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for a webinar on February 13 at 1 p.m. CST to learn more about the report from Anne McKibbin, policy director of CNT Energy and Eric Mackres, ACEEE senior policy analyst.
Title: Engaging as Partners in Energy Efficiency
Date: Monday, February 13, 2012
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 AM CST
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer
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Thursday, January 26th, 2012
CHICAGO (January 26, 2012)—Energy efficiency upgrades in multifamily buildings could save building owners and residents up to $3.4 billion nationwide, according to a report released today by CNT Energy and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Engaging as Partners in Energy Efficiency: Multifamily Housing and Utilities demonstrates that energy use in multifamily buildings can be reduced substantially, and cost-effective upgrades can result in utility cost savings of 15 to 30 percent in buildings with five or more residential units. The key to unlocking the savings, the report finds, is for energy utilities and apartment building owners to work together more closely to develop effective energy efficiency policies.
“We have billions essentially sitting untapped in our apartment buildings. We can harness that by simply setting better policies for efficiency for apartment buildings,” said Anne McKibbin, CNT Energy policy director and coauthor of the report. “Partnering with utilities is a crucial part of the process. Building owners and other housing industry players need to work with their utilities, engaging them directly and in local and state regulatory proceedings,” she said.
Energy efficiency upgrades improve the bottom line for multifamily building owners, help maintain affordable housing, decrease financial risk for lending institutions, and improve occupant comfort. However, building owners often have difficulty finding technical assistance, financing, or qualified contractors to upgrade their buildings. “Maximizing energy efficiency is a win-win for apartment residents, building owners, energy utilities and our energy infrastructure,” said Doug Bibby, President of the National Multi Housing Council. “This report offers excellent ideas that we hope spur further cooperation between multifamily owners and utilities to create a more efficient partnership.”
Better coordination between apartment building owners and energy utilities could address that, according to the report’s analysis. The study finds that there is a vast, largely untapped opportunity to engage utilities in providing effective energy efficiency programs that target the multifamily sector. The study examines utilities’ involvement in energy efficiency efforts across the country and identifies strategies that the multifamily building community can use to work together for improved efficiency. “We are thrilled to explore partnerships with apartment owners as a way of better serving our customers and reaching our energy efficiency goals. This paper outlines some important next steps for collaboration,” said Duane Larson, Director, Energy Efficiency Strategy, Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
The report identifies regions where the multifamily sector could see particularly dramatic benefits from improvements in energy efficiency policy. These include Florida, Illinois, Texas, and the District of Columbia—regions that have a substantial number of multifamily buildings and energy policies that leave significant room for improvement.
“Utilities and local regulations vary dramatically from state to state and region to region, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” says Eric Mackres, ACEEE senior policy analyst. “The common thread is that partnering with the utility is crucial. This report outlines a variety of strategies that can help the multifamily housing sector to engage electric and natural gas utilities in order to expand the resources available for energy efficiency retrofits.”
This report was made possible by support from the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Living Cities.
The full report is available online at http://www.cntenergy.org/publications/.
Those interested in learning more are invited to participate in a Webinar on February 13 at 1 p.m. CST. For details, go to http://www.cntenergy.org/calendar/ or call (773) 269-4037.
CNT Energy helps reduce energy costs in households, buildings, and communities. CNT Energy is a division of the Center for Neighborhood Technology. Since 1978, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has been a leader in promoting urban sustainability—the more effective use of existing resources and community assets to improve the health of natural systems and the wealth of people, today and in the future. CNT Energy combines rigorous research with effective solutions to help consumers and communities control energy costs and become more energy efficient. For more information, visit www.cntenergy.org.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit http://www.aceee.org.
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Energy efficiency upgrades in multifamily buildings could save building owners and residents up to $3.4 billion nationwide, according to a report released by CNT Energy and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Engaging as Partners in Energy Efficiency: Multifamily Housing and Utilities demonstrates that energy use in multifamily buildings can be reduced substantially, and cost-effective upgrades can result in utility cost savings of 15 to 30 percent in buildings with five or more residential units. The key to unlocking the savings is for energy utilities and apartment building owners to work together more closely to develop effective energy efficiency policies.
“We have billions essentially sitting untapped in our apartment buildings. We can harness that by simply setting better policies for efficiency for apartment buildings,” said Anne McKibbin, CNT Energy policy director and coauthor of the report. “Partnering with utilities is a crucial part of the process. Building owners and other housing industry players need to work with their utilities, engaging them directly and in local and state regulatory proceedings,” she said.
Read more »
Posted in Energy, Featured Portfolio News | No Comments »
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
CNT, as a partner in Livability Solutions, has been selected to provide technical assistance to the Lower Eastside Action Plan (LEAP) of Detroit, Michigan, and the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission of Maumee, Ohio. CNT will assist both communities in learning how to use CNT-designed tools to quantify and advocate for the benefits of green infrastructure as a means of stormwater management. CNT’s tools—the Green Infrastructure Valuation Guide and the Green Values® National Stormwater Management Calculator—were designed to assist communities in promoting sustainability to improve their quality of life and implement local development plans.
“We are pleased to be working with these two community organizations which are committed to improving the quality of life of their residents,” said Scott Bernstein, CNT’s president. “Each of these communities have specific challenges to address—from developing and implementing plans to address vacant land and blighted property to engaging residents in sustainability planning.” Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, Natural Resources | No Comments »
Friday, January 20th, 2012
Today Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presented checks to two local companies that have taken advantage of an incentive program that reduces the cost of public transportation for employees. The Transit Ridership Improvement Program (TRIP) is a short-term incentive program that provides hundreds, even thousands of dollars to companies that provide pre-tax transit benefits to their employees. TRIP is available to all Cook County employers until February 10th.
“Gas prices remain high, and there’s no sign of relief as the year progresses. Public transportation is an affordable and convenient way for people to get where they need to go save money in the process,” said President Toni Preckwinkle. “TRIP makes it even more cost-effective for people to travel by bus or train and we encourage employers and employees to sign up.”
Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, Transportation and Community Development | No Comments »
Friday, January 20th, 2012
CHICAGO (January 20, 2012)—Today Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presented checks to two local companies that have taken advantage of an incentive program that reduces the cost of public transportation for employees. The Transit Ridership Improvement Program (TRIP) is a short-term incentive program that provides hundreds, even thousands of dollars to companies that provide pre-tax transit benefits to their employees. TRIP is available to all Cook County employers until February 10th.
“Gas prices remain high, and there’s no sign of relief as the year progresses. Public transportation is an affordable and convenient way for people to get where they need to go save money in the process,” said President Toni Preckwinkle. “TRIP makes it even more cost-effective for people to travel by bus or train and we encourage employers and employees to sign up.”
Normally, employees earn their income, are taxed, and then pay to ride transit to get to work. With employers offering a pre-tax transit benefit program through TRIP, employees can lower their tax burden by hundreds of dollars per year, depending on their transit costs and tax bracket. In addition to saving employees money increased transit use helps reduce congestion and improve air quality.
“We appreciate President Preckwinkle’s leadership to promote transit and publicize a special opportunity for employers to financially benefit by signing employees up for TRIP,” said Joe Costello, RTA Executive Director, who attended the press conference. The RTA has engaged in legislative advocacy to encourage Congress to establish parity with the parking pre-tax benefit.
TRIP benefits employers as well. Participating businesses will reduce their payroll taxes while providing a valuable benefits program to their employees. Between now and February 10, Cook County employers that join TRIP will receive direct payouts that can total hundreds of dollars. Participating employers will receive:
• $30 for any new employee who signs up for the pre-tax transit benefits.
• An additional $200 for companies that are introducing a pre-tax transit benefit program for the first time and enroll five of more employees.
President Preckwinkle presented a check to General Growth Properties in the amount of $720 and to the law firm of Daley, Mohan and Groble in the amount of $980. These are just two of the 180 companies that have taken advantage of the program so far.
“The Center for Neighborhood Technology and RTA answered our questions, walked us through the initial process, and supported us in offering our employees transit benefits,” said Kathi Roccanova, Daley, Mohan and Groble’s office manager. “Our employees love the tax savings and we love being able to offer them this monthly benefit.”
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which helps administer TRIP, provides one-on-one consultation with businesses interested in enrolling in the program, addresses company concerns, and walks through the initial steps in providing these low-cost, money-saving, employee benefits.
Companies and employees are encouraged to visit www.lesstaxingcommute.com to learn more about pre-tax transit benefits and TRIP. Companies interested in providing these transportation benefits to their employees can email jdrew@cnt.org for more information.
Funding for TRIP is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The Cook County Department of Environmental Control administers the program in coordination with CNT and RTA.
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
CHICAGO (January 18, 2012)—The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), as a partner in Livability Solutions, has been selected to provide technical assistance to the Lower Eastside Action Plan (LEAP) of Detroit, Michigan, and the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission of Maumee, Ohio. CNT will assist both communities in learning how to use CNT-designed tools to quantify and advocate for the benefits of green infrastructure as a means of stormwater management. CNT’s tools—the Green Infrastructure Valuation Guide and the Green Values® National Stormwater Management Calculator—were designed to assist communities in promoting sustainability to improve their quality of life and implement local development plans.
“We are pleased to be working with these two community organizations which are committed to improving the quality of life of their residents,” said Scott Bernstein, CNT’s president. “Each of these communities have specific challenges to address—from developing and implementing plans to address vacant land and blighted property to engaging residents in sustainability planning.”
Ten communities were selected to receive free technical assistance this year from among 64 applications. The 10 governments and organizations selected represent a diverse group of communities from across the United States, from large cities to rural counties. All have a strong commitment to sustainability and smart growth and are poised to implement positive change by making use of the assistance offered by Livability Solutions partners.
In addition to LEAP and the Toledo-Lucas Sustainability Commission, the other eight recipients are:
- Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, Little Rock, AR
- Colfax on the Hill, Inc., Denver, CO
- Charlotte County, FL
- Gulf Regional Planning Commission, Gulfport, MS
- City of Blue Springs, MO
- University City District, Philadelphia, PA
- Anthithesis Research, Wellpoint, WA
- West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Eau Claire, WI
Each community will receive a one- or two-day training session with an expert from one of the Livability Solutions partners on the issue of their choice. In addition to CNT, the partners who will be delivering technical assistance this year are:
This technical assistance is made possible by a grant to Project for Public Spaces from the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Sustainable Communities under the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. The Building Blocks program funds quick, targeted assistance to communities that face common development problems. Three other nonprofit organizations—Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy), Global Green USA, and Smart Growth America—also received competitively awarded grants under this program this year to help communities achieve their sustainable development goals.
Interested communities are encouraged to check the Livability Solutions website periodically for additional opportunities for technical assistance. Interested foundations, organizations, and individuals who want to support assistance to one of the 53 other qualified applications are encouraged to contact Livability Solutions at livabilitysolutions@pps.org. Click here for information on other opportunities to work with Livability Solutions or here for training and technical assistance offered by Project for Public Spaces or our partners.
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Founded in 1978, CNT is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on climate, energy, water, transportation, and community development. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.
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Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Are you interested in water services, resources and infrastructure within the Great Lakes?
The Great Lakes Water Network is an informal group of water practitioners and advocates with a common interest in collaborative planning, innovative strategies and smarter investments in relation to water services, infrastructure and resources. It is managed by CNT.
Join the Network »
Or contact Harriet Festing »
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Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
The Fisk Generating Station in Pilsen is the second biggest greenhouse gas emitter in Chicago, after the Crawford power plant. Photo credit: Flickr User- swanksalot.
Communities in the United States have a useful new data resource to help them with climate and sustainability planning. The U.S. EPA requires facilities emitting over 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually to report emissions, and it has just released 2010 reported data to the public.
The maps and charts at http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgdata/index.html can help a community identify large sources of emissions in their area. This is especially important in small communities, where a large emitter, such as a power plant or landfill that supplies the region, might make up the majority of the community’s greenhouse gas footprint.
Read more »
Posted in Climate, Featured Portfolio News | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
A new incentive will provide $50 in transit credit for people who get the Chicago Card Plus I-GO card before Feb. 29.
Between now and February 29, people who sign up for a joint Chicago Card Plus I-GO card for use on the CTA and in I-GO Car Sharing vehicles will receive $50 in transit credit and a heavily discounted I-GO membership. The Chicago Card Plus I-GO card is the only one of its kind in the nation, allowing a seamless transfer between public transit and a car sharing vehicle.
Participants can enroll at http://tinyurl.com/ye6flbe ››
“If you’ve been thinking about ditching your car and simplifying your life with transit and car sharing, there’s never been a better time to make the leap,” said Kathryn Tholin, director of Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which is administering the incentive program on behalf of Cook County. “Owning a car is expensive, a hassle, and can have a large carbon footprint. Using integrated transit and car sharing instead of owning a car is good for people’s budgets, stress levels, and the environment.” Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, I-GO, Transportation and Community Development | No Comments »
