Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program
The federal government awarded the City of Wheaton with $514,400 through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). With this funding, the City has developed a number of projects for residents, businesses and the City at-large aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions, reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency.
Available Grant Programs
- For residents:
- Home Energy Savings Program: Nearly 200 residents applied to participate in a free in-home energy review. Homeowners received up to 50 percent of the cost of an energy efficiency project up to $1,000. Energy efficiency projects included insulation and caulking; furnace and air conditioning replacements; and window and door replacements. NOTE: The City is no longer accepting applications for this program.
- Kill-a-Watt Program: Free check-out of devices to monitor energy use
- For businesses:
- Business Energy Wise Fund: Eleven downtown properties have either pre-approval or completion of an energy efficiency improvement project. Projects included lighting retrofits and the replacement of furnaces, air conditioners and a 40-year-old boiler. NOTE: The City is no longer accepting applications for this program.
- Municipal programs benefitting the community:
- Wheaton Bike Plan Study: The development of a Bike Plan Study included input from residents, City staff, Park District, School District, DuPage Forest Preserve, DuPage County and the Illinois Prairie Path. Anticipated improvements include signed bike route, additional bike parking and an educational component to make biking safer.
- Wheaton Fleet Upgrade: Three city vehicles were upgraded to hybrids using grant funds, bringing the total hybrid vehicles to six. This has helped the City of Wheaton lower greenhouse gas emissions through greater fuel efficiency.
- Wesley Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit: Retrofit lighting and exit signs and the addition of photo sensors in Wesley Parking Garage. The City applied for and received another grant through the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for $15,109. As a result, the City will consider replacing the lights on the top deck of the garage.
- Police Station Building Upgrade: Upgrade and replacement of four boilers and an air conditioning condenser. The project was initially funded with $147,400 of EECBG funding. The City applied for and received another grant through the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for $5,000. As a result, the City will also retrofit the interior lighting and possibly the exterior lighting.
- Additional project: By leveraging State of Illinois funding and with anticipated rebates from Nicor, an amendment was submitted to the Department of Energy to include additional energy efficiency projects. The amendment is pending approval.
For more information about these programs, click on the link of the appropriate category above (residents, businesses, municipal). Questions should be directed to Susan Wallace at swallace@wheaton.il.us or 630-260-2064.
About the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
In response the national economic crisis, in February 2009 the federal government enacted the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Among the act’s goals are spurring economic activity and investing in long-term growth.
Learn more about the act on the federal government's Recovery.gov website. This site also allows you to track progress in spending ARRA funds by visiting the Illinois section.
Grant Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DE-SC0002074.
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.