The City of Elgin today announced that they have joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign to encourage Elgin residents to reduce energy use in their home.
The City of Elgin has joined with millions of Americans in the flight against global warming by encouraging individual actions that can make a big difference in reducing energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Elgin urges Elgin residents to take the ENERGY STAR Pledge
Each ENERGY STAR pledge taken by Elgin residents will be credited to the city and go toward the Com Ed Challenge, a year-long competition between Elgin and eleven other suburban communities. The community with the most energy-use reduction will be awarded a $100,000 cash prize to be used toward future energy-saving projects. More information about the ComEd Challenge is available at the City of Elgin website at www.cityofelgin.org/sustainability
The ENERGY STAR Pledge encourages Americans to:
• Change light bulbs to those that have earned the ENERGY STAR
• Use a programmable thermostat to save energy while asleep or away from home
• Enable power management settings on computers and monitors so they go into “sleep mode” when away or not in use
• Make their next purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified product, such as home electronics, office products, and/or appliances
• Make sure their homes are well sealed and insulated
• And more!
“We want to do our part to reduce our country’s greenhouse gas emissions and help fight global warming,” said Mayor Ed Schock. “We are proud to spread the word about the difference that individuals in our community can make by taking energy-saving steps in the workplace and at home.”
If every American household took the actions in the pledge, we would save more than $18 billion in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 18 million cars.
“Becoming part of the solution to global warming takes less time and effort than you might think. You can start by taking simple steps like changing a light or looking for the ENERGY STAR when you purchase new products,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA. “We are delighted to work with the City of Elgin and others across the country who are helping in the fight against global warming. Together, we can all make a difference and protect our environment through simple everyday actions.”
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and buildings. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2008, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved more than $19 billion on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million vehicles. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).
In 2009 the City of Elgin embarked to the development of a Sustainable City Master Plan that will guide the community for the next several decades. The plan will address all issues related to sustainability, such as transportation, economic development, waste water treatment and neighborhood planning. With the creation of this Master Plan the City of Elgin is poised to become a leader among its peer communities both regionally and across the nation.
Residents can find out more information by visiting www.cityofelgin.org/sustainability and link to a variety of related sites, including ENERGY STAR.