DCEO - Thermal Efficiency Program for Public Facilities

Utilizing funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing $7 million dollars worth of grants to public entities (local, state, federal government, or public school, public community college or public university) for energy efficiency upgrades that produce thermal energy savings. A wide range of projects may be eligible, from equipment upgrades to process improvements. Geothermal closed loop projects are specifically included as eligible projects, but open-loop geothermal systems are not. This is a competitive grant solicitation; projects will be evaluated on criteria including application quality, applicant capacity, feasibility of project plan, economic development (job creation), energy reduction, green house gas emission reductions, cost-effectiveness, project timeliness, and use of leveraged funds. Overall, at least 25% of total project cost must be covered by grantee. See the program website for application materials and additional project eligibility criteria. The deadline for applying is October 1, 2009.