Hub January 2024 Newsletter

Building Energy Resource Hub January 2024 Newsletter

Connect with us at the Hub Help Desk

The Hub Help Desk is ready for your questions and inquiries. The Help Desk provides free, comprehensive support for building professionals, including commercial and multi-family building owners, contractors, and municipal representatives. Call us at 855-520-7693 or email help@buildinghub.energy today!

2025: Year of Building Decarb

(or begin your planning!)

The Building Energy Resource Hub offers a wealth of resources to help building professionals reduce emissions, save energy, and align with emerging energy performance standards. Whether you’re taking your first steps in decarbonization or looking to optimize existing operations, the Hub’s comprehensive Getting Started guide breaks down the process into clear, actionable steps. From assessing your building’s energy usage to identifying funding opportunities and accessing technical assistance, this resource is designed to make energy efficiency accessible to all.

New 179D Tax Deduction Portal

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the 179D Portal, which hosts two free tools to estimate potential federal tax deductions for installing eligible energy-efficient technologies in commercial buildings. Energy-efficient technologies can increase building performance and save on utility bills. Now, the new 179D Portal can estimate how building upgrades can qualify building owners and designers for a tax deduction, to further impact the bottom line, with tax deductions ranging from $0.58 to $5.81 per square foot. Learn more at energy.gov.

Industry Trainings

Building Operator Certification

The Building Operator Certification® (BOC) program achieves measurable energy savings by training individuals directly responsible for day-to-day building operations. BOC graduates use the tools learned in training to help their facilities save energy, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of their building systems. MEEA offers multiple BOC Curricula including, BOC Level I: Building Systems Maintenance, BOC Level II: Improving Building Operational Performance and BOC Multifamily. 

To learn more about the BOC program or find a training near you, visit www.boccentral.org. Please contact MEEA’s BOC team at boc@mwalliance.org or 855-420-1785.

New Funding Resources

Illinois Climate Bank Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund 

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) are now accepting pre-applications for the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EE RLF) program. This initiative offers low-interest Bridge Loans to nonprofits, public entities, and commercial building owners in order to finance clean energy projects, such as building electrification, energy storage, and distributed generation, while addressing funding gaps caused by delays in receiving federal direct pay tax credits and Illinois Solar for All incentives. Apply for the EE RLF Bridge Loan here: Pre-application Link 

On February 19, 2025, the Illinois Finance Authority will be hosting its first Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund webinar. Click here to register. 
 

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant for $10,000 - $245,000 to small businesses across the state to help eligible businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs. Eligible project costs for the grant include: 



• Planning 
• Land and Building Acquisition 
• Buildings, Additions, or Structures 
• Site Improvements 

Applications close on April 7, 2025. There is an information session on February 4 at 11AM. Learn more here.

Contractor Corner

The Value of Contractors Connecting to Utility Programs

As the demand for energy-efficient and decarbonized buildings grows, contractors have an opportunity to expand their businesses by partnering with utility programs. These programs offer access to training, funding, and technical resources that can help contractors grow their expertise, win more projects, and contribute to a greener future. 

By joining these programs, contractors can gain visibility as trusted service providers, access incentives for their clients, and stay ahead of industry trends. A few reasons why connecting to utility programs is a win-win for contractors: 

1. Training and Certification: Utility programs often provide specialized training that helps contractors meet compliance requirements and offer cutting-edge services.
2. Client Incentives: Many programs include rebates and discounts that contractors can pass on to their clients, making projects more affordable. 
3. Business Growth: Being part of a utility program can improve your business credibility and open doors to new projects and networks.

Illinois Utility Programs for Contractors 

• ComEd Energy Efficiency Service Provider (EESP) Incubator Program 
  This program is tailored for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses. It provides resources for certification, financing, and business development. Contractors gain skills to work within the ComEd energy efficiency portfolio, setting them up for success in this growing field. Learn more here. 

• Ameren Illinois Diverse Program Ally Incubator 
  Designed for contractors in the Ameren Illinois service territory, this program focuses on professional training and business growth. Participants receive customized resources to help them succeed as Program Allies in the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program. Discover the program here. 

• Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
  For weatherization rebates, including air sealing, insulation, and duct sealing, Peoples Gas requires that these services be performed by contractors who are approved by the program. These contractors hold specific certifications and have received training on program requirements and specifications, check out to be a Trade Ally here. 
  

Upcoming Hub Events

$ave Money, $ave Energy: ComEd High-Performance Design Incentives
February 12 @ 10:00 AM



Join the Building Energy Resource Hub to learn about a new ComEd program that provides comprehensive energy solutions for new construction and major renovation projects. The High-Performance Design Incentive program offers a holistic approach to your project by offering incentives for both gas and electric savings. Learn how to push your design further with these technical assistance and financial incentive tools for energy conservation measures.

Upcoming Partner Events

Energy Code Basics and Performance Path Reports, including Passive House
  Hosted by SEDAC | In-Person | East Moline, IL
  February 4 @ 9:00 AM

For those who may be newer to the code, this in-person training will cover the basic layout and navigation of the 2021 IECC (including Illinois amendments), which became effective January 1, 2024. After establishing the primary sections and function of the Code, the workshop will cover the various compliance paths available. They will review multiple performance reports to learn more about how they are created and how to evaluate them, and then discuss some details of the Passive House compliance method, as it serves as an additional compliance path in Illinois. 3.0 LU|HSW AIA CES, 0.30 ICC CEU.

Energy Code Conversations: Discovering the Pathways to Become an Energy Code Official
  Hosted by SEDAC
  February 22 @ 12:00 PM

The energy codes field faces a staffing shortage and unclear career entry paths. SEDAC invites energy code professionals to an Energy Code Conversation to discuss career development and workforce needs. Share your experiences, learn about diverse career paths, and help identify training needs for new recruits. Together, we can spark ideas to build the next generation of energy code professionals.

Trade Ally Webinar: Micro Combined Heat & Power (mCHP)
  Hosted by Peoples Gas
  February 26 @ 10:00 AM

Join this webinar to learn more about Micro Combined Heat & Power (mCHP) that can provide a clean energy solution that is reliable, simple, and effective while offering substantial financial savings. Combined Heat & Power is regarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) as one of the most affordable, cleanest, efficient, and reliable energy sources available. Tune in to learn more about how to evaluate, select and apply mCHP systems for your clients

Webinar Series: Basics of U.S. Building Benchmarking for State and Local Policy Compliance

  Hosted by EPA
 

Join EPA for a three-part webinar series starting in February on how to use Portfolio Manager® to meet state and local policy requirements. This series will teach the ins and outs of the Portfolio Manager tool and introduce the benefits of energy efficiency and energy management. It will be offered twice this year, so please join the sessions that best fit your schedule.