Good Food for All, a blog dedicated to local food and agriculture resources in the Chicago region, posts a weekly digest of relevant information for the Chicago region at ChicagoREgen.com.
Good Food for All is a blog of Fresh Taste, a collaboration of funders dedicated to encouraging diverse local agriculture and access to food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable in the Chicago region. To subscribe and to learn more, click here.
Good Food for All, a blog dedicated to local food and agriculture resources in the Chicago region, posts a weekly digest of relevant information for the Chicago region at ChicagoREgen.com.
Good Food for All is a blog of Fresh Taste, a collaboration of funders dedicated to encouraging diverse local agriculture and access to food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable in the Chicago region. To subscribe and to learn more, click here.
Do they really make a difference? I often find myself in discussions with people who say that “nothing” can be done if we don’t have sweeping change brought in by government regulation. That government or even large scale non-profits must be at the center of every solution if it is going to be meaningful. That is actually not the case. There are plenty of instances and examples in which single people making small changes makes a difference. Every action we do, like reducing consumption or driving less or recycling more or making a “green” choice when we do buy, makes a much bigger difference then it seems and they add up.
Continue reading 'Do the Little Things'»
Good Food for All, a blog dedicated to local food and agriculture resources in the Chicago region, posts a weekly digest of relevant information for the Chicago region at ChicagoREgen.com.
Good Food for All is a blog of Fresh Taste, a collaboration of funders dedicated to encouraging diverse local agriculture and access to food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable in the Chicago region. To subscribe and to learn more, click here.
The Illinois State Senate Energy Committee announced that it will hold a hearing on renewable energy and related topics tomorrow, Thursday, October 28, 10:00 AM at the James R Thompson Center, Room 16-503, 100 West Randolph Street, Chicago. A copy of the agenda is posted here. This hearing is a major opportunity for you to encourage the Senate members that a strong solar and wind policy will lead to growing businesses, more jobs and less pollution in Illinois.
We know we’re a bit behind the curve, but we wanted to let you all know about the Illinois Solar and Wind Rebate Program!
The Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program is now open and IL DCEO is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2011.
The guidelines and application form are available online. All applications must be complete and follow these new guidelines. Furthermore, all applications must be submitted under this new form for Fiscal Year 2011.
There are a few changes to the program that they would like to make us aware of:
- The biggest change to the program is that there is now a limit on the rebate amount allowed on a per watt basis for solar PV and wind energy projects. Rebates will also be limited to no more than $2.70/watt for solar photovoltaic systems and $2.40/watt for wind energy systems purchased by residential and business entities, and $4.50/watt for solar photovoltaic systems and $4.00/watt for wind energy systems purchased by public sector and non-profit entities. Otherwise, the rebate is still based on 30% of total cost for homeowners and businesses and 50% for governmental and non-profit entities, with a maximum rebate of $50,000.
- Estimated total labor hours by installer or subcontractors must be provided in application. They will also need the actual labor hours for this project provided in the completion letter.
- The spec sheet for the solar panels or wind turbine being purchased must be provided with application.
If you have any questions with regards to the new guidelines and application form, please contact Wayne Hartel at wayne.hartel@illinios.gov.
Chuck Templeton wrote about the Chicago Climate Action Plan – Renewable Energy Working Group in a previous post and explained the five main strategies outlined in the plan along with the working groups and steering committees of each strategy. The 2008 Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP) Proposed a Roadmap for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions to 25% Below 1990 Levels by 2020 and to 80% by 2050.
He specifically spoke about a meeting that the Renewable Energy Working Group had had regarding their recommendations and stated that once they were finalized, they would be published. Well guess what folks, recently, Howard Learner of ELPC and Suzanne Malec-McKenna released the Clean & Renewable Energy Policy and Program Recommendations which can be found by clicking on City REWG.FINAL REPORT.September 2010.
Continue reading 'Renewable Energy Working Group Recommendations'»
Mayor Daley’s GreenWorks Awards 2010 will celebrate the vibrancy, vitality, and vision of the people and institutions that are driving Chicago’s transformation into a more environmentally, socially, and economically robust and resilient city.
Whether you are an activist, an employee, an entrepreneur, or a business owner, if you are leading Chicago towards a greener future, the City of Chicago welcomes your application in any or all of the Award categories: Sustainable Innovation in the Built Environment, Innovation in Green Business, and Community Leadership.
Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted by 4:30pm on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Click HERE to apply. Good luck!
Good Food for All, a blog dedicated to local food and agriculture resources in the Chicago region, posts a weekly digest of relevant information for the Chicago region.
- Sweet Water Organics, an aquaponics company and urban farm in Milwaukee, is featured this week in The New York Times.
- Take part in Hen-apalooza this weekend, a Chicagoland Chicken Coop Tour of 16 different locations with backyard chickens.
- A new grocery store, “Fresh Family Foods,” founded by entrepreneur Quentin Love, opened near Chicago State University.
- On Oct. 10, 2010 (10-10-10), Chicago Oxfam Action Corps is organizing a crop mob to Spence Farm in Livingston County, IL. Click here for more details.
- Helping Others Maintain Environmental Standards (HOMES) is opposing the proposed construction of a large-scale dairy farm in northern Illinois. View the trends of the milk industry here.
- Illinois had one of the biggest losses of prime agricultural land being converted to developed land from 1982 to 2007, according to the National Resources Inventory.
- New postings of sustainable food jobs in the Chicago region are available on Good Food for All.
- The last day to register for the Community Food Security Coalition Conference is Friday, Oct. 1.
Good Food for All is a blog of Fresh Taste, a collaboration of funders dedicated to encouraging diverse local agriculture and access to food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable in the Chicago region. To subscribe and to learn more, click here.
On Wednesday, Governor Quinn signed into law two pieces of major solar legislation. HB6202 and HB5429 create what’s commonly referred to as a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in the state of Illinois. RPS legislation has to-date been the most effective form of solar legislation and has been the driving force behind solar adoption in the US. Here is the official press release and video.
Governor Quinn said, “Solar energy is the wave of the future, and it is important that our public utilities and homeowners are able to more easily increase their use of solar energy.” “We must do everything we can to increase our use of solar energy, which will help us protect natural resources and reduce our reliance on traditional energy sources, such as foreign oil.”
Continue reading 'Governor Quinn Signs Major Solar Legislation into Law'»
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