Act On Energy® is starting the New Year with a bang!  Yesterday, Act On Energy has reduced the price of most of its already discounted products found at our Small Business Online Store by 50%!  Not only are small businesses eligible to purchase CFLs starting at 50 cents, Act On Energy has also continued to offer FREE shipping on all purchases. 
 
If that isn’t enough, every small business is eligible for 3 CFLs FREE!   No purchase is necessary to receive this FREE offer, but businesses must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO or AmerenIP) Delivery Service Rate DS-2 to purchase products or receive this FREE offer.  Finally, Starting January 18th and running through March 31st your Chamber can participate in our Chamber CFL Challenge with the winner receiving $1,000 from Act On Energy. 
 
Through March 31, 2010 small business owners can now purchase CFLs starting at 50 cents apiece.  If a small business replaces 10 incandescent bulbs with 10 CFLs (a $5 investment) they will save about $170 annually in energy costs annually.  In addition to special pricing on CFLs, LED exit signs, LED exit sign bulbs, and wall mount sensors that automatically turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms have all been reduced by 50%. LED exit signs that can save a business over $60 in energy costs can now be purchased for just $6.88 - and we’ll ship them FREE!  This investment in energy-efficient equipment will pay for itself in just over a month.  The great news is the fact that businesses will save over $60 this year and every year there after by installing this LED exit sign.
 
To receive your 3 free CFLs, visit our Small Business Online Store and click on the free CFL 3-pack banner or the link on the left hand navigation bar.  Customers can choose from two different 3-pack options, which will be sent to them free of charge as long as they agree to install the CFLs before April 30, 2010. 
 
The reduced pricing, 3 CLFs at no cost and free shipping are a limited time offer through March 31, 2010, and you must be an electric Delivery Service Rate DS-2.  To qualify for these savings you must be an electric delivery service rate DS-2.  To see how you can verify your rate class click here. To view products on our online store or to register for your 3 CFLs free, click here. 
 
The CFL Chamber Challenge offers a $1,000 prize to the Chamber whose members purchase the most CFLs from the Act On Energy Small Business Online store before March 31st.   In order to register for the Chamber Challenge they must notify Act On Energy that your chamber wishes to participate in the challenge no later than Wednesday January 13th.  Before January 14th Act On Energy will provide each chamber with a unique promotional code for members to use as they check out of the Small Business Online Store.  This will insure your organization gets “credit” for its purchases.  On March 31st whichever Chamber has the most credits receives $1,000 from Act On Energy. Please email gbrigham@ameren.com if you wish to participate in this challenge. 
 
Please let your members know of this great offer.  If you have any questions, please contact us at 866-800-0747 or email us at ActOnEnergyBusiness@ameren.com.

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Have a Green $pring! – 2010 Special Limited Time Offer

The Illinois Energy Office at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announces a significant short-term increase in electric efficiency rebates for public projects located in ComEd and Ameren Illinois Utilities electric service territories.  The enhanced rebates will allow schools and governments in Illinois to implement cost-saving electric efficiency improvements.  These improvements will save energy, reduce utility bills, and create Illinois jobs. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply for these special DCEO energy efficiency incentives by this Earth Day, April 22. Projects must be completed by May 31, 2010.

The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Portfolio, administered by the Illinois Energy Office, provides grants and rebates to public sector entities for electric system efficiency improvements including lighting, motors, variable frequency drives, HVAC equipment, traffic signals, and street lights.

• Incentive Bonus – Illinois public universities, and state and federal facilities are eligible for a 15% Incentive Bonus on top of the normal DCEO rebates for energy efficiency projects.
• Special Incentive Rate – Illinois public schools, community colleges and units of local government are eligible for a Special Incentive Rate that is double the current rebate levels.    
• Qualifying projects could receive up to 90% of project costs.

Examples of typical projects:

• High Bay Lighting – A school that replaces its traditional HID Gym lights or a municipality that replaces its convention center lights with T5 fluorescent replacement fixtures could be eligible for more than $200 per fixture.
• Variable Speed Drives (VSD) - A community or school that adds a variable speed drive to its heating and cooling system could receive as much as $1,800 for a 20 horsepower application (depending on the site and exact configuration). 
• Innovative street lights – The technology of street lights has advanced rapidly, with LED and induction lighting now offering viable options for replacing existing street lighting with lights that are much more efficient and long lasting.  Pilot projects for such innovative new street lights are eligible for incentives of $0.40 per kilowatt hour saved, or about $400 per fixture.

To apply for the Have a Green $pring! rebates:

• Fill out the normal Public Sector Electric Efficiency Program application forms from www.illinoisenergy.org and submit them to illinois.energy@illinois.gov . 
• DCEO staff will determine eligibility and the amount of the bonus rebate.
• Read the Addendum to Public Sector Electric Efficiency Guidelines  for details on this special offer.

This Addendum to the program guidelines for the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Program (PSEE) applies to new applications processed after March 5, 2010 and received by close of business April 22, 2010, for projects that will be completed by the end of the Program Year, May 31, 2010.  PSEE applicants are eligible for either the Incentive Bonus or Special Incentive Rate based on eligibility described below.  These PSEE incentives are only available as long as funds last.  All other program provisions and limitations apply. 

1.0         Incentive Bonus

For state and federal government applicants, including Illinois state universities, the incentive rates shall be revised as follows:

Standard incentives for lighting, HVAC equipment, motors, and refrigeration equipment shall be increased by 15% from the levels listed in Appendix B “Standard Program Incentive Worksheets” of the program guidelines.

The incentive for variable speed drives on HVAC motors shall be increased from $55 per horsepower to $75 per horsepower.

Custom incentives shall be increased from 8 cents per kilowatt-hour to 9.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.  For exterior lighting pilot projects of breakthrough equipment and devices the incentive shall be increased to $0.23 per kWh.

2.0         Special Incentive Rate for Communities and Schools

For units of local government, public school districts, and community college applicants the incentive rates shall be revised as follows:

Standard incentives for lighting, HVAC equipment, motors, and refrigeration equipment shall be temporarily doubled from the levels listed in Appendix B “Standard Program Incentive Worksheets” of the program guidelines.

Custom incentives shall be increased from 8 cents per kilowatt-hour to 16 cents per kilowatt-hour.  For exterior lighting pilot projects of breakthrough equipment and devices the incentive shall be increased to $0.40 per kWh.

3.0         Maximum Incentive

For state and federal government applicants, including state universities the total incentive cannot exceed 100 percent of the incremental measure cost and 75 percent of the total project cost.  For units of local government, public school districts, and community colleges, total incentive cannot exceed 100 percent of the incremental measure cost and 90 percent of the total project cost.

4.0         Application Process

Applicants seeking the Incentive Bonus or Special Incentive Rate should submit the normal PSEE application.   DCEO program staff will calculate and apply the additional incentive depending on applicant eligibility and funding availability.