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‘Going green, saving green’ easier than ever for Illinois businesses
12.02.2010– NAPERVILLE, Ill.—More than 50 northern Illinois businesses are reducing their operations costs, lowering their greenhouse gas emissions and earning financial rebates by installing new energy saving equipment through the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program. And additional funding is available for more local companies to take advantage of this unique, cost-saving program.
The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, which offers rebates to customers who install qualifying natural gas-saving products, was designed to make energy use more efficient and affordable while reducing natural gas consumption. As businesses craft their budget for the 2011 fiscal year, many should consider replacing old, outdated natural gas equipment at their facility with new high efficient equipment that will require less energy and reduce their costs – benefitting both the environment and their bottom line.
Local businesses and government entities participating in the program include Allstate Insurance, the City of Wheaton, Great Escape restaurant and Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc., among many others.
“We applaud these companies and their efforts to create a more environmentally responsible workplace by installing new energy efficient natural gas equipment at their facilities,” said Kevin Kirby, Vice President of Customer Care at Nicor Gas. “We encourage other local businesses to follow their lead and take advantage of the Energy Efficiency Program – as they can earn rebates, reduce operating costs and decrease their carbon footprint.”
The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, which runs through May 31, 2011, is designed to offer ideas and tools to help business and residential customers in the Nicor Gas service territory save energy and money through energy education, resources and financial rebates on qualifying energy efficient natural gas equipment. Businesses served on Rates 4 and 74 are eligible for the rebate program.
In addition to the financial benefits, energy efficiency upgrades can also improve a building systems operating effectiveness, which can yield a more comfortable indoor environment for employees, customers, clients and patrons.
“Our customers appreciate that Great Escape has a long-standing commitment to being good stewards of the environment,” said Brian Great, President of Great Escape restaurant in Schiller Park. “Installing a new heat exchanging grease filter through the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program allowed us to not only earn a $3,000 rebate, but it will also help us reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions.”
According to ENERGY STAR, a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency, if the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings improved by just 10 percent, customers would save $20 billion on energy bills, while the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be equivalent to removing approximately 30 million vehicles from the road.
“With the rebates obtained through the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc. is able to replace our older, less-efficient ovens with new, high-efficiency ones,” said Tom O’Donnell, General Manager of Vie de France Yamazaki’s Bensenville facility. “Our customers, our company and the environment all benefit. We are happy to have the opportunity to play our part in promoting a greener world.”
In addition to businesses and nonprofit organizations across northern Illinois participating in the program, local cities, villages and municipalities also have the opportunity to earn rebates and reduce their energy consumption.
“In addition to providing residents and businesses with information about Nicor Gas’ Energy Efficiency Program, the City of Wheaton is also a participant in the program as part of our effort to make our municipal buildings more energy efficient,” said Susan M. Wallace, Special Projects Assistant for the City of Wheaton. “We are in the process of conducting boiler tune-ups at several of our municipal buildings and appreciate both the financial and environmental benefits of the program.”
For more information on the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, please visit www.nicorgasrebates.com
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Nicor Gas is one of the nation’s largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for over 50 years. The Company serves more than two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information on Nicor Gas, visit www.nicorgas.com.