[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6238408,"mediaKeyId","3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea","parentId",3352529,"title","Kane County recycling grant award frozen in USDA system; county to hold recycling and shredding event Saturday","audioSeconds",196,"startMs",814000,"endMs",1010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea&start=814&end=1010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea/thumbnail_814000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6238408/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-recycling-grant-award-frozen-in-USDA-system-county-to-hold-recycling-and-shredding-event-Saturday","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238408-fd6bb19f5af844e3874106e7440ec65e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205067&Signature=DZ75gcnRmApCcAyefneVUsJFzvzrWq2Pc1aUiRYI4HZNGDaOWDptcuwk5SQ6BWhX14X6TezEEEL5vMmKisds8qaQJQvE6kaZ1liHGmWih7uHAt40SSHzCw95WhB-fUxH4wvCOURVlxv4g0ScWd~3QzvijQXdII1r5dFIlMkfZ5I8DTgkE0knFsUaaXAL2Gyo1TyvzmpSEqAGQG4dqIdGBLLoUbtCrjPNu5smee6U3QPtrbAdwh5KBalAC1XOBM5u5EGhOZ8FKFBmUxxsIUcuHnJU4zk-oDp5bdAsXWqMvKr1936tSAyxD57to9PGSBVIOpLZD1LaujJFAfwrSR2yIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kane County, IL","date","2025-05-16T13:52:26Z","article","County staff told the Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee on May 16 that federal subaward funds tied to resolutions the committee approved earlier are currently not accessible in the USDA award-management system.

A staff presenter (identified in the meeting as Miss Ryan) said the county received a notice of award in March and moved the resolutions forward in April, but later discovered the federal award was not appearing in the USDA's grant-management portal. \"There has been no proactive communication from USDA,\" the presenter said, and \"all they've been able to tell us is that certain awards are on hold or frozen\" while the agency reconciles priorities during a transition.

Practical implications: The committee was told that the resolutions put the county in position to proceed if and when USDA releases the award. Committee members emphasized the importance of being ready to move when funds become available; staff confirmed that if the award is not released the county will not pursue the projects.

Event: The presenter also announced a public recycling event scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at 540 South Randall Road (Circuit Clerk's office). The event will include confidential-document shredding and collection for reuse of clothing and textiles, decorative home goods, latex paints and bicycles. Bicycles collected will be refurbished and distributed through Hassett House's bicycle ministry, staff said.

Volunteer needs and logistics: Staff said volunteers should arrive by 7:30 a.m. and that volunteers are welcome; those interested should call the presenter. Committee members asked whether volunteer capacity was adequate; staff said current volunteer numbers were low but sufficient for the planned hours and asked interested volunteers to contact the presenter.

Speakers

- Miss Ryan, staff member (recycling updates)
- Mavis Bates, Chair, Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee (government)
- Wright (committee member who asked about bicycles)

Authorities

- type: grant; name: \"USDA federal award (unspecified)\"; referenced_by: [\"Miss Ryan\"]

Actions

[]

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: status of USDA award in federal award-management system; uncertainty about timing and lack of agency communication; contingency planning if funds are not released.
- Direction: none formal; staff to continue outreach to USDA and to be ready to implement projects if grant funds become accessible.
- Decision: no change to prior county resolutions; committee acknowledged contingency status.

Clarifying details

[{\"category\":\"event\",\"detail\":\"Public recycling and shredding event\",\"value\":\"2025-05-17 08:00\",\"units\":\"local time\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Miss Ryan\"},{\"category\":\"event_location\",\"detail\":\"Circuit Clerk's office, 540 South Randall Road\",\"value\":\"540 South Randall Road\",\"units\":\"address\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Miss Ryan\"},{\"category\":\"bicycle_destination\",\"detail\":\"Bicycles to be refurbished and distributed by Hassett House bicycle ministry\",\"value\":true,\"units\":\"\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Miss Ryan\"},{\"category\":\"volunteer_arrival\",\"detail\":\"Volunteer arrival time\",\"value\":\"07:30\",\"units\":\"local time\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Miss Ryan\"}]

Proper names

[{\"name\":\"Kane County\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"USDA\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Hassett House\",\"type\":\"nonprofit\"}]

Community relevance

{\"geographies\":[\"Kane County\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"USDA federal award (unspecified)\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"residents seeking recycling services\",\"volunteers\",\"Hassett House clients\"]}

Meeting context

{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":3,\"duration_minutes\":25,\"items_count\":1},\"implementation_risk\":\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2025-04-11\",\"note\":\"Resolutions related to federal subawards were approved previously; award-notice was received in March but funds are not yet accessible in the federal system.\"}]}

Searchable_tags\":[\"recycling\",\"USDA\",\"grant-hold\",\"shredding-event\"],

Provenance

{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"814.355\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Okay. So we're gonna move on to recycling.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"993.64\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So we we do have the resolutions, which means that, essentially, if those funds become available to us, we will pursue the project. If they don't, we won't. And happier news, my only other update, excuse me, is that, we're hosting an event recycling event tomorrow, starting at 8AM at the, 540 South Randall Road, the Circuit Clerk's office.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","KC Energy & Environmental Committee May 16 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff told the Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee that federal subaward funds tied to recent resolutions are not visible in the USDA award-management system and that USDA staff told them some awards are \"on hold or frozen.\" Separately, the county will host a public recycling and shredding event at 8 a.m. Saturday at 540 South Randall Road.","taxTitle","Kane County, Illinois","taxId",12845,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6238421,"Kane County consultant says 2 MW solar, community solar and batteries could cut costs as data centers drive demand",3790,1232000,5022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea&start=1232&end=5022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea/thumbnail_1232000.jpg","/articles/6238421/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-consultant-says-2-MW-solar-community-solar-and-batteries-could-cut-costs-as-data-centers-drive-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238421-ed030883e40285814de911774789dba0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205067&Signature=TwKikcxbeUWuYb0mEkqkaQiFBbRhjbPlaSKXCrGjnjzavAzZ5ITTfT4rnd2CeQU~oXC2DdjkvxaQNAfuj3zChFLlSpEu2~jU6oCSvLXhc~xjGTL9JAKj3cIzVEyoSdoj4K3ve9y17WLiA1ThQnND9ipjLgf2QP3G38fVTqw5v1NXjckoO5cESz1ZLOYU~7ewjwJqmkrRLjtJC2DKQG~eYW3T7mMzCuwSXveS6ELMEbeEubYkuyNj2H~SWtF7KYWz452XuSsL8lNi1VFROsHOQaVv1ocxNJ3Er2P-Vd4mbuxt~TeAQsHyd47EqfkAo-0c77y8I2GyPxNoSvH0lsszRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Arnie Schrammel, a consultant with Progressive Energy Group, told the Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee on May 16 that the county's 2-megawatt solar field tied to the judicial center and jail is performing as planned and is saving the county money amid rising wholesale electricity and capacity prices.

Schrammel said the two sites use just under 9.5 million kilowatt-hours a year and the solar field is projected to produce just under 4,000,000 kilowatt-hours. \"We're projecting savings around $200,000 a year,\" he said, adding that the savings compared with never installing solar could top $300,000 as grid prices rise. \"The 3.9¢, that's really locked in for 25 years,\" he said of the solar supply price the county secured.

Why it matters: Schrammel warned committee members that capacity payments and transmission costs ' components often hidden inside retail bills ' have spiked recently and that growing electric demand from data centers is a new, large driver of those increases. He described capacity payments to peaker plants rising by roughly a factor of nine in recent auctions and said that trend is raising costs for all customers on the ComEd system.

Schrammel explained that a combination of fewer traditional baseload plants coming back online, faster growth in demand and the arrival of large data centers has tightened the region's supply-demand balance. \"These data centers use incredible amounts of power,\" he said, noting that planned centers can use more electricity than many municipalities. He said the county benefits from having local solar and nuclear resources but that community solar subscriptions and batteries present practical near-term opportunities.

Recommendations and next steps: Schrammel urged Kane County staff to prepare a community-solar RFP so the county can subscribe to fields as they are built. He told the committee that community solar subscriptions typically guarantee 10'15% savings versus ComEd energy supply and estimated that putting the county's ComEd accounts into community-solar subscriptions could save roughly $100,000 a year. He also recommended evaluating 1'2 MW battery opportunities at the judicial center and considering 4'5 MW fields on underused county land such as the former sheriff's site.

Committee direction: Chair Mavis Bates and other members asked staff to move the RFP idea forward. Schrammel said he would work with procurement and sustainability staff and advised that county staff (including Austin Powell and Sarah Hinshaw, who were identified in the meeting as implementation leads) would need to be involved to place the county in financing queues when projects are sold.

Operational and environmental notes: Schrammel described other practical constraints: community-solar fields are often limited to 5 MW by program rules and take roughly two years to build; transmission upgrades can take a decade and attract local opposition; and establishing native-plant groundcover in large solar arrays can be difficult on gravel sites. Committee members reported earlier problems at the county's judicial-site array where a native-seed mix did not establish and maintenance responsibilities between the county and the solar operator were unclear.

Speakers

- Arnie Schrammel, Consultant, Progressive Energy Group (consultant)
- Mavis Bates, Chair, Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee (government)
- Roth (board member)
- Bill Grama (board member)
- Mike Frank (board member)
- Sarah Hinshaw, Sustainability staff (staff)
- Austin Powell (staff)

Authorities

- type: regulation; name: \"PJM/ComEd regional capacity market\"; referenced_by: [\"Arnie Schrammel\"]
- type: policy; name: \"Clean and Equitable Jobs Act (CJA)\"; referenced_by: [\"Arnie Schrammel\"]
- type: policy; name: \"Future Energy Jobs Act\"; referenced_by: [\"Arnie Schrammel\"]
- type: agency; name: \"Illinois Power Authority\"; referenced_by: [\"Arnie Schrammel\"]

Actions

[]

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion points: projected generation and savings of the county 2 MW solar field; recent capacity and transmission price spikes; data centers' electricity demands; community solar subscription model and constraints; transmission and siting challenges; native-plant establishment difficulties at the judicial-site array.
- Directions: staff (Austin Powell and Sarah Hinshaw) directed to work with consultants and procurement to prepare a community-solar RFP and to evaluate battery and additional solar opportunities.
- Decisions: no formal county board approvals were taken at this meeting on additional solar sites; the committee endorsed staff action to proceed with planning and procurement steps.

Proper names

[{\"name\":\"Kane County\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Progressive Energy Group\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"ComEd\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"PJM\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"Illinois Power Authority\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Clean and Equitable Jobs Act\",\"type\":\"other\"},{\"name\":\"Future Energy Jobs Act\",\"type\":\"other\"},{\"name\":\"Constellation\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Nelnet\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Hassett House\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"name\":\"3 Mile Island\",\"type\":\"location\"},{\"name\":\"Microsoft\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Amazon\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"CyrusOne\",\"type\":\"business\"}]

Clarifying details

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Community relevance

{\"geographies\":[\"Kane County\",\"Aurora (IL)\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"community solar incentives\",\"federal tax credits\",\"state renewable programs\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"county facilities\",\"residents on ComEd service\",\"farmers/landowners\"]}

Meeting context

{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":8,\"duration_minutes\":180,\"items_count\":6},\"implementation_risk\":\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2022-2023\",\"note\":\"County previously approved 2 MW solar project and power purchase agreement\"}]}

Searchable_tags\":[\"solar\",\"community_solar\",\"capacity_prices\",\"data_centers\",\"batteries\",\"transmission\"],

Provenance

{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"1232.325\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good morning. I'm Arnie Schrammel. I've been working with the county, our firm Progressive Energy Group, for the last 5 years. Thanks, madam chair and board. I'm gonna give, the board a quick update on the electric spend estimates and the, green attributes for the county's 2 megawatt solar field by the judicial slash jail center.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"5022.305\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":20,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Yes. I am.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","Arnie Schrammel, a consultant with Progressive Energy Group, told the Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee that the county's 2 MW solar field is producing as expected and that rising capacity and transmission costs, driven in part by new data centers, make community solar subscriptions, batteries and transmission planning urgent considerations for the county.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6238411,"Kane County reports lights, HVAC and EV rebates together saved about $83,000 this year, staff says",285,3000000,3285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea&start=3000&end=3285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea/thumbnail_3000000.jpg","/articles/6238411/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-reports-lights-HVAC-and-EV-rebates-together-saved-about-83000-this-year-staff-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238411-717209603499003d5106826a3c1f3505/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205067&Signature=NOLZdc5ye54t82heWXutTHtcdPRizZNCr34TOW7KAoFi-7k6sRUjq7oGhHiKW-cAzXrjFZHFI9YcZ2FM6~IEGOhtXuPQSVqkcKJSCYIP~kqCtK3S1N8Y9T6uiYkLyU~mP3r3wFQ343t0R7mexgHFa4Bxf38H~7-utLXXqDxQXC146fDb3LDDNAMYNlkuELPu05XuBCmCsFAZfMynxqvBIAUGF7ahv0ksXEliLD9j0-DpsnW462N3iD7eSvmSHG3dAZO5M-nYw7Zb2Hlrx1CQEpU1XhPMWsCLdcxenyQ1kBiIjMOgUu4DFwizCFlV6pTSinELzBLqnqQHDFKYUutwnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarah Hinshaw, Kane County sustainability staff, presented updates on facility energy projects on May 16 and said the county's recent lighting, HVAC and electric-vehicle (EV) work is already producing measurable savings.

Hinshaw told the committee that the parking-lot and indoor-lighting upgrade project has a total budget just over $2 million; the parking-lot portion cost approximately $233,000 and replaced 275 lights (including 52 pole lights). The contractor later provided updated figures showing about 182,000 kilowatt-hours of capacity removed; Hinshaw said the parking-lot lighting savings are roughly $21,000 per year and the lights alone pay for themselves in about 11 years (about nine years if a previously appropriated $50,000 block grant is unfrozen).

Hinshaw also reported a major HVAC replacement at the county court and jail: seven systems replaced at a cost slightly over $1 million. She said the new systems have a higher efficiency rating (an increased CR rating from 10 to 16) and summarized an estimated savings figure of $33,000 over a 15-year horizon (staff said final measured savings will be reported once operational data fully accrues).

On electric vehicles, Hinshaw said the county purchased two fully electric cargo vans and two hybrids and installed a charger. The charger cost about $14,000 and the county has received most or all of the expected rebates; IRS tax-credit paperwork for vehicle incentives has been submitted and accepted. She summarized that rebates tied to vehicles and charger returned about $59,000 and that, when combined with lighting and HVAC estimates, her working estimate of annual savings for the year is about $83,000.

Operational notes and caveats: Hinshaw cautioned that some estimates rely on contractor-provided numbers and that more full-year meter data will be needed to attribute savings precisely between solar generation and the lighting/HVAC measures. She also said the county's $50,000 block grant (noted earlier in the meeting) remains frozen and could shorten payback periods if released.

Speakers

- Sarah Hinshaw, Sustainability staff, Kane County (staff)
- Mavis Bates, Chair, Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee (government)
- Committee members who asked questions: Frank, Caius

Authorities

- type: policy; name: \"county capital project funding and block grant\"; referenced_by: [\"Sarah Hinshaw\"]

Actions

[]

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: scope and cost of parking-lot lighting, HVAC replacement details (CR rating improvement), EV charger and vehicle rebate receipts, need for meter data to finalize savings attribution, frozen block grant status.
- Direction: staff to collect full-year meter data and provide updated measured savings to the committee; procurement and sustainability staff to proceed with planned indoor-lighting installations.
- Decision: no new capital appropriation was authorized at this meeting; updates and a possible future proposal to the committee were discussed.

Clarifying details

[{\"category\":\"parking_lot_lights_cost\",\"detail\":\"Cost of parking lot lights portion of lighting project\",\"value\":233000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"lights_replaced\",\"detail\":\"Number of lights replaced for parking lot\",\"value\":275,\"units\":\"count\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"kilowatts_removed\",\"detail\":\"Kilowatt-hours reduced from lighting changes (contractor updated figure)\",\"value\":182000,\"units\":\"kWh\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"parking_lot_savings\",\"detail\":\"Estimated annual savings from parking-lot lights\",\"value\":21000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"hvac_cost\",\"detail\":\"Cost to replace seven HVAC systems\",\"value\":1000000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"hvac_savings_estimate\",\"detail\":\"Estimated HVAC savings over 15 years\",\"value\":33000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"ev_charger_cost\",\"detail\":\"EV charger hardware and installation cost\",\"value\":14000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"ev_rebate_savings\",\"detail\":\"Total rebate savings from vehicles and charger\",\"value\":59000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"},{\"category\":\"total_year_savings_estimate\",\"detail\":\"Combined estimated savings for the year\",\"value\":83000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Sarah Hinshaw\"}]

Proper names

[{\"name\":\"Kane County\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Nicor\",\"type\":\"business\"}]

Community relevance

{\"geographies\":[\"Kane County\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"block grant\",\"county capital projects\",\"federal and state rebates\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"county facilities\",\"taxpayers\"]}

Meeting context

{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":4,\"duration_minutes\":40,\"items_count\":1},\"implementation_risk\":\"low\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2025-04-11\",\"note\":\"Lighting and HVAC projects were scoped in prior committee sessions.\"}]}

Searchable_tags\":[\"lighting\",\"HVAC\",\"EV chargers\",\"energy_savings\",\"block_grant\"],

Provenance

{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"5075.375\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":200,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So today, I'm gonna present, the savings for the lights in the parking lots, some new HVAC systems, and an update on the electrical vehicle and charging infrastructure, rebates that we received.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"5439.29\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So just kinda putting that wrapping that together just for this year, overall, my estimate was that this saved $83,000 for this year between these different between these different rebates and, electrical savings. Yeah. And I think that is it for me.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","Sustainability staff reported that recent parking-lot lighting replacements, HVAC upgrades and electric-vehicle charger and vehicle rebates produced about $83,000 in estimated savings this year, with the parking-lot lights expected to pay back in about 11 years (9 years if a $50,000 block grant is released).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6238417,"Kane County committee approves $20,000 weatherization rebate pilot for farmers to pair with Nicor and IRA credits",3010,3462000,6472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea&start=3462&end=6472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3352529-9d34335f0271a4ba23348e7fe25be7ea/thumbnail_3462000.jpg","/articles/6238417/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-committee-approves-20000-weatherization-rebate-pilot-for-farmers-to-pair-with-Nicor-and-IRA-credits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238417-c9f693428c88a7f82fb6d2f83706f41d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205067&Signature=hK5PhZxKtcL4B7r-wp9zX6Xm7CSxWNZD0Klw0tcebbOh7KY0hE06zASp7WDYoURYDOcOuz0GYeIR3viekN8bSLL-35DfYD~aVVKdyaDMRcR-KDjvGN8gUKHPtAZSB-GsOvT1TtpC1zZfWiUPsxRNgEGIYc2KeQneQ~OnO9pVPY9qz3SdH~7BKx4PoWbwrY~xaFvtQVTszHgMpefrsI3FcdaQX9mW38LnApFloQ8O1mrfCh587kRtCJdwD6k-k1UFrglhq9qabuAFn53kbE2-PrBKxwEbfARXY2v4jGoHa~H~08vDCVYBmt89lH7KO4UQguZf9Zx-7ljllaCjKl5pjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee voted on May 16 to approve a pilot weatherization rebate program aimed at county farmers, using $20,000 from the electric-aggregation civic contribution fund to provide direct rebates and outreach.

The motion, moved by Caius and seconded on the floor, passed by roll call. Committee members recorded affirmative responses during the roll call record; committee staff said the program will proceed to implementation steps.

What the program covers: The pilot will offer two rebate tiers for Kane County farmers who undertake targeted weatherization measures (air sealing and attic insulation): $500 for county farmers who use Nicor for residential heating and $800 for Kane County farmers who do not use Nicor. The program was designed so the county rebate can be combined with Nicor contractor rebates (Nicor's rebate program was cited as offering up to about $650 for qualifying installations) and the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 25C tax credit (a 30% credit of qualifying costs, capped at $1,200 for eligible measures).

Program rationale and expected savings: Committee presenters cited national estimates that air sealing and attic insulation yield the largest short-term reductions in home energy usage (roughly 12'18% for the two measures together). The presenter outlined sample cost ranges from regional installers (roughly $3,400 to $7,000 for combined air sealing and attic insulation, depending on the job) and estimated combined savings when stacking county rebate, Nicor rebate and IRA tax credit could reach between roughly 33% and 68% of project costs for lower-cost installations.

Implementation and outreach: The committee discussed outreach plans and asked staff to prioritize quick communications so farmers can claim IRA credits before proposed changes to federal programs. Staff indicated they will coordinate with county agricultural contacts, the ag committee and lists of qualified Nicor contractors and will prepare guidance and an application process. A staff presenter said the county's existing communications channels (Kane County Farm publications, social media, direct mail) would be used to publicize the pilot.

Speakers

- Caius (mover of the resolution), Committee member (government)
- \"Annisis\" (recorded second in the meeting transcript), Committee member (government)
- Austin (presenter/staff) (staff member)
- Mavis Bates, Chair, Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee (government)
- Steve Arnold (ag committee contact; referenced)

Authorities

- type: policy; name: \"Electric aggregation civic contribution contract with MC Squared\"; referenced_by: [\"Austin\",\"Caius\"]
- type: federal; name: \"Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 25C tax credit\"; referenced_by: [\"Austin\"]
- type: utility program; name: \"Nicor (contractor rebate program)\"; referenced_by: [\"Austin\"]

Actions

[{\"kind\":\"resolution\",\"identifiers\":{},\"motion\":\"Approve a weatherization rebate program for Kane County farmers using $20,000 from the electric aggregation civic contribution fund\",\"mover\":\"Caius\",\"second\":\"Annisis\",\"vote_record\":[{\"member\":\"Caius\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Hennessy\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Bates\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}],\"tally\":{\"yes\":3,\"no\":0,\"abstain\":0},\"outcome\":\"approved\",\"notes\":\"Roll call showed affirmative votes for named members; staff to implement pilot and coordinate outreach.\"}]

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: program design (eligibility, dollar amounts, contractor lists), interaction with Nicor rebates and IRA 25C tax credit, outreach timing to capture current federal incentives, whether to spend funds instead on broader communications.
- Decision: committee approved the $20,000 pilot resolution; staff to prepare application materials and outreach.

Clarifying details

[{\"category\":\"rebate_amount\",\"detail\":\"County rebate for Nicor residential heating customers\",\"value\":500,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Austin\"},{\"category\":\"rebate_amount\",\"detail\":\"County rebate for non-Nicor residential heating customers\",\"value\":800,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Austin\"},{\"category\":\"utility_rebate\",\"detail\":\"Representative Nicor contractor rebate amount\",\"value\":650,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Austin\"},{\"category\":\"IRA_credit\",\"detail\":\"Inflation Reduction Act 25C tax credit\",\"value\":\"30% up to $1,200\",\"units\":\"\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Austin\"},{\"category\":\"funding_source\",\"detail\":\"Electric-aggregation civic contribution (MC Squared contract)\",\"value\":20000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Austin\"}]

Proper names

[{\"name\":\"Kane County\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Nicor\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"MC Squared\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Inflation Reduction Act\",\"type\":\"other\"}]

Community relevance

{\"geographies\":[\"Kane County\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"electric aggregation civic contribution\",\"utility rebates\",\"federal IRA tax credits\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"county farmers\",\"rural households\"]}

Meeting context

{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":6,\"duration_minutes\":40,\"items_count\":1},\"implementation_risk\":\"low\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2025-04-23\",\"note\":\"Program concept discussed with ag committee and ag contacts.\"}]}

Searchable_tags\":[\"weatherization\",\"farmers\",\"rebates\",\"Nicor\",\"IRA\"],

Provenance

{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"5762.915\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Madam chair, then 1 minute. You need a res a a a nominal area. Missus Caius. I would move that we, present potentially approve a resolution approving a weatherization rebate program for the county Caine Farmers.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"6450.79\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":140,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So we're ready to vote on this very interesting resolution. Please take the role. Allen. John, I. Caius? Caius, yes. Hennessy? Hennessy. Yes. ... Bates. Bates. Yes.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","The Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee approved a resolution to use $20,000 from the electric aggregation civic-contribution fund to pilot weatherization rebates for county farmers: $500 for Nicor customers and $800 for non-Nicor customers, designed to stack with Nicor contractor rebates and a 30% IRA tax credit.","actionData","errors"]

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Kane County committee approves $20,000 weatherization rebate pilot for farmers to pair with Nicor and IRA credits