The Village of Kenilworth was recently awarded two grants worth over $19,000 to improve indoor lighting in public buildings with new high efficiency upgrades. These grant funds are expected to cover 85% of the total project cost and result in over 70,000 lbs. of reduced carbon emissions annually. These significant improvements in energy efficiencies are occurring alongside other important steps recently taken by Kenilworth to become more environmentally friendly. 

     Without the opportunity provided by both grants being issued for the same efficiency upgrades, this project is likely to have not happened anytime soon. The first grant is $11,263.50 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO), which covers approximately 50% of the total project cost for energy efficiency upgrades. An additional $7,812 was awarded by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF) and is expected to cover an additional 35% of the total project cost. 

     After an aggregated competitive bid process that was conducted through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) with 26 other municipalities, the total cost of the project was reduced to $22,408.32. The MMC bidding process resulted in savings of $1,296.62 for Kenilworth. The grant funds from the IDCEO and ICECF will cover approximately 85% of this total project cost. 

     By replacing old light fixtures with high efficiency fixtures, lamps and ballasts, the Village is expecting impressive results. This high efficiency upgrade will result in a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 70,308 lbs. and over 31,248 of reduced kilowatt hours of electricity every year, according to an energy audit conducted in late 2012 by 360 Energy Group. If a residential or small business were to reduce electrical usage by this amount, it would be equivalent to savings of $3,125 every year. 

     This lighting upgrade is part of a more environmentally friendly focus taken by the Kenilworth Village Board. In spring of 2012, Kenilworth chose the 100% Green Power option for the new electricity aggregation program, using Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s) to support renewable energy development and production. Also in early 2012, the Village was awarded a $10,000 Urban Forest Restoration Grant, which was combined with donations from Kenilworth residents and the Village, resulting in a total of 73 parkway trees being planted. Kenilworth residents are the first in the area to recently start using high-capacity 95-gallon recycling carts that are expected to result in a spike in the amount of materials being recycled. In addition, Kenilworth hosted its first ever Arbor Day Ceremony last year to highlight the importance of small steps leading to a big impact.