SPRINGFIELD – May 6, 2009.  Governor Pat Quinn signed an agreement between the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) and the city of Springfield to purchase wind power to be used by state facilities in the capital city. 

 

“This partnership between the state and the city of Springfield will make our capital city a greener place,” said Governor Quinn.  “It will not only reduce our carbon footprint by powering state buildings with a clean and renewable energy source, but also reduce our electricity consumption through a collaboration with the city to improve building energy efficiency.”

 

The agreement allows the state to fulfill an obligation made by the previous administration to power all state CMS-managed state buildings in Springfield with 100 percent wind-generated electricity.  

 

All CMS-managed state buildings in Springfield receive electricity from the city’s municipally-owned utility, City Water Light and Power (CWLP).  The agreement for the state to purchase wind power from CWLP is retroactive to July 1, 2008, and is set to remain in effect until June 30, 2018. 

 

The state’s agreement with CWLP also establishes that CWLP will work with CMS to identify ways to save energy at state buildings through city programs including insulation rebates, heat pump rebates, water heater rebates and technical assistance reviews for lighting, HVAC or weatherization.  Through 2015, CWLP will provide up to $1.86 million to the state in these energy efficiency programs.

 

The city of Springfield’s purchase of wind power is part of an agreement made with the Sierra Club in 2006.  CWLP agreed to purchase wind power and take other energy-saving steps so that the Sierra Club would drop its appeal and allow CWLP to obtain the necessary permit to build the Dallman 4 coal-fired power plant.