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COD program trains vets for 'green collar' jobs

by Ed McMenamin

In 2008, Downers Grove resident Paul Gawley had the best year of business in his career. But by December of that year, the work abruptly stopped as the economy grounded to a halt.

"Projects that were ready for groundbreaking, nothing happened," he said. "There was just a freeze in the capital."

Veterans program helps returning military transition into workforce

by Mary Beth Versaci

Veteran Paul Gawley of Downers Grove worked for years in construction management after serving with the Naval Construction Battalion at the end of the Vietnam War.

But that changed around 2008, after the housing market collapsed and the real estate projects he was managing shut down.

Program offers job training to veterans

By Quan Truong, Chicago Tribune reporter

Pilot program held at College of DuPage

Investment in efficiency can pay off from the start

by Rachel Abbey McCafferty

Companies in state energy program for manufacturers believe it's worth the effort

Each year, state officials estimate, Ohio companies that take part in the Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers save enough energy to power more than 30,000 homes.

That's equal to about $13 million in savings annually, said Chad Smith, deputy chief of the Office of Energy at the Ohio Development Services Agency.

MEEA's LEED Gold Office Space Featured in Northern Illinois Real Estate

First LEED Gold renovation in Chicago's historic Civic Opera Building.

CHICAGO — Renovation of office space or common areas can be a daunting prospect – where to start and what to invest in are often the two biggest questions. Although there are many decisions to make along the way, this article will highlight methods building owners and property managers can use when considering energy consumption goals and the means to achieve them.

Read full article here.

In Chicago, seeking the next bright ideas in energy efficiency

by Kari Lydersen - Midwest Energy News

CHICAGO — Working at the Michigan Public Service Commission in the 1990s, Martin Kushler would often end up at utility meetings where energy efficiency was discussed.

Social networking, education key to energy efficiency

by Kelly Pflaum/MEDILL

Energy consumers may start seeing more efficiency campaigns through their social network connections, as the future of energy efficiency expansion may rely increasingly on social networking and customer engagement, according to the CEO of ComEd in Chicago.

 “Social media is an untapped resource in this realm,”   Anne Pramaggiore, CEO and president of ComEd, said.  “We’ve dipped our toes into the waters, but we think the waters are boundless here.”

Chicago Tribune Article Discusses Impact of Upcoming Energy Efficient Codes

Stricter energy code heats up debate on cost

by Mary Ellen Podmolik

Springfield Business Journal Covers MEEA's BOC Veterans Program

Veterans Building Operator Certification Program pilots at LLCC

by Chad Kruse

Some Springfield area veterans were able to transfer past experience and skills into the marketable Building Operator Certification (BOC) thanks to a program at Lincoln Land Community Collge earlier this fall. The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) along with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs worked together to create the BOC Veterans Pilot program.

Dayton Daily News Quotes MEEA on Battle Brewing Over Energy Conservation Standards

Battle brewing over energy conservation standards
 
By Steve Bennish
 
Nov. 28--A battle is emerging over state energy conservation standards that have saved Ohioans $1 billion on their electric bills since 2008.
 
Ohio's Energy Efficiency Resource Standard requires that Ohio investor-owned utilities cut a cumulative 22 percent of electric consumption through energy efficiency efforts by 2025. The standards were signed into law in 2008 by then Gov. Ted Strickland.