Chicago is among the first cities to confront energy loss head-on. The city government has invested in cogeneration, the simultaneous production of heat and electricity, which is twice as efficient as conventional fuel-burning power production. The strategy is also a potent means of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. A cogeneration plant produces only one third the CO2 of a coal-fired power plant. In its most recent energy plan, Chicago committed to producing 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from cogeneration by 2010—25 percent of the city’s increased energy needs from 2000 to 2010.
So far Chicago ranks # 9 in Americas 50 greenest cities.
- Electricity: 5.4
- Transportation: 7.3
- Green Living: 5.0
- Recycling/Perspective: 3.6
CATEGORY LEADER: Green Space
In addition to the 12,000 acres Chicago has devoted to public parks and waterfront space, the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded four city projects with a “Platinum” rating, its highest award.
So what else is new.
Mayor Richard M. Daley, continuing his push to make Chicago greener, wants ComEd and Peoples Gas to help Chicagoans buy big-ticket, high efficiency appliances like furnaces and cooling systems. His plan would enable customers to buy efficient air-conditioning and heating systems at no upfront cost and pay them off over time with savings on monthly utility bills. The proposal is part of a bill introduced in the Legislature by state Sen. Don Harmon.
It's one of a seriies of environmental initiatives the mayor is pursuing to make Chicago a leader in environmental policy.
Details of the plan are still being worked out. The utilities are not being asked to finance the purchase but would help administrate the program by collecting payments. City officials say the funds would come from banks and federal, state and local government grants.
