Illinois
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Cities aim to cut red tape for solar installers
The time and money it takes installers to file for local permits is estimated to account for up to 20 percent of the cost of a solar installation, and a national effort in more than two dozen cities hopes to bring more convenience and consistency into the process.
Photo by madjalapeno via Creative Commons -
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When coal plants shut down, what happens next?
As decades-old coal plants in urban areas go dark in coming years, environmental groups, city planners, elected officials and local residents are turning their attention from the health and environmental impacts of the plants’ emissions to the future of these sites.
Photo by Steven Vance via Creative CommonsBy Kari Lydersen .
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Report: Tough building codes save homeowners thousands
A recent study suggests the costs of complying with Illinois' new building code are less than what some builders fear, and that the payback for homeowners is much greater. -
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Illinois eyes efficiency gains through building code
Illinois is on track to become the first state in the Midwest to require new homes pass a blower door test and meet rigorous new standards for air tightness and insulation. -
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Could sweet sorghum dethrone corn as biofuel king?
A Chicago biotech company that’s working to genetically engineer varieties of sweet sorghum that would convert sugar to biofuel before it even leaves the plant, while using half as much water to grow as corn.
Photo by ILRI via Creative Commons -
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As smart meters roll out, opponents get organized
In Naperville, Illinois, as in other communities throughout the U.S., utilities' smart meter plans are running into intense opposition from some customers. Smart grid backers say the protests represent a small minority acting on unfounded fears.
Photo by Portland General Electric via Creative CommonsBy Frank Jossi .
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Renewable or not? How states count hydropower
When is hydropower a renewable energy source? The answer, at least from a policy perspective, depends on the state. -
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With long paybacks, vertical turbines still a tough sell
Even as they become more common, small-scale wind turbines remain a source of dispute in the renewable energy community.By Tom Vandyck .
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'Energy Bills' take fear out of efficiency
A new video series promoting energy efficiency is actually funny.By Ken Paulman .
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Midwest making strides in advancing 'smart grid'
Illinois is at the center of a push to make the Midwest's electricity grid more resilient and efficient while empowering consumers to take greater control of their energy use.
Photo by ume-y via Creative CommonsBy Frank Jossi .
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