BE 1-1 Promote existing incentives for improving energy efficiency and renewable energy (e.g., insulation, energy-efficient windows, electric heat pumps, solar panels) in new construction and retrofit residential and commercial properties. Establish an Energy Efficiency (and Fuel Switching) Concierge service to assist building owners in identifying energy efficiency resources, rebates, tax credits, and programs appropriate for their home or business. Coordinate with Inflation Reduction Act, State programs (CEJA), Utility incentives and PACE financing information.
- Goal: 3,500 households annually achieving a 15% efficiency increase per household.
- Goal: 200 commercial properties annually achieving a 15% efficiency increase per property.
BE 1-2 Collaborate with other communities, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, industry, and state agencies to support State and local government clean energy policies which support plan goals. Each legislative session, prioritize proactive clean energy policies, such as: State Renewable Portfolio Standard Increase (e.g., 25% by 2025), improved net-metering laws, legislation that allows Residential PACE Programs.
BE 1-3 Modify the Kane County Affordable Housing Fund to prioritize and incentivize affordable housing projects which meet an energy efficiency standard, like Sustainable Buildings 2030 (SB2030), LEED Gold, Enterprise Green Communities, the 24 National Green Building Standard ICC/ASHRAE 700, or an equivalent certification. Include a requirement to include equipment selections which promote ease of long-term maintenance and economy of upkeep/replacement costs.
BE 1-4 Identify businesses in the community that have energy and/or climate goals and highlight them as leaders and examples. Hold stakeholder meetings with owners / managers of the largest buildings within the community to share the goals of this plan, advantages to property owners for meeting the goals, and available resources and funding available for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and building resilience upgrades.
BE 1-5 Encourage and support the develop and adopt a rental housing energy efficiency policy by recommending single family & multi-family rental housing report energy efficiency (and meet minimum energy efficiency) to qualify for rental licensing. Program to include an energy efficiency rating system (ENERGY STAR or HERS). Educate about the 45L Tax Credit (single family) & 179D (multi-family)
BE 1-6 Consider adopting an Energy Code establishing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and building resilience standards in line with this plan. Alternatively, strongly encourage use of the State of Illinois Stretch Code for projects within your community. Identify local government staff or partners to provide training for building officials, contractors, and designers.
BE 1-7 Explore establishing a Home Energy Scores program (performance tracking and reporting) and labeling program for homes listed for sale.
BE 1-8 Incentivize projects receiving public funding, PUD, CUP or other zoning action to meet an energy efficiency standard, like Sustainable Buildings 2030 (SB2030), LEED Gold, Enterprise Green Communities, the 24 National Green Building Standard ICC/ASHRAE 700, or an equivalent certification.
BE 1-9 Establish a Kane County Energy Benchmarking and Disclosure Collaborative to support the energy benchmarking process of monitoring and reporting associated with the Building Performance Ordinance and Residential Energy Benchmarking program. The Collaborative should include "how-to" resources for energy benchmarking and provide opt-in program support for municipalities and opt-in building benchmarking support for individual building owners.
BE 1-10 Establish a Building Performance program that assists commercial and industrial buildings over 20,000 sf to track and report energy use – and eventually to implement specific energy efficiency actions.
