Canton Family YMCA to Receive $24,400 for High-Efficiency Lighting Project
January 22 2009 - 5:18PM
PR Newswire (US)
PEORIA, Ill., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ameren Illinois
Utilities today presented the Canton Family YMCA with an Act On
Energy(TM) incentive check in the amount of $24,416.10 for their
newly completed high- efficiency lighting project. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090122/AQTH066) "We commend
the Canton Family YMCA for implementing this electric energy
high-efficiency lighting upgrade. This project reflects a true
commitment to the community of Canton," said Cheryl Miller the Act
On Energy(TM) business program manager. Energy efficiency
incentives are now available to the Ameren Illinois Utilities
(AmerenCILCO, AmerenCIPS and AmerenIP) business customers. These
customers may now submit applications for Program Year One
incentive funds for electric energy efficiency projects that must
be completed before May 31, 2009. Miller presented the incentive
check to Don Heller, who has served as the executive director of
the Canton Family YMCA for over 27 years. The Canton Family YMCA
has been serving the Canton community for 119 years. The Canton
Family YMCA is committed to enhancing the well being of youth,
adults, seniors and families through quality programs and
facilities. The Canton Family YMCA project consisted of a complete
overhaul of the lighting system by Budget Lighting Incorporated,
Burlington, Iowa. By upgrading their old fixtures to new
high-efficiency models, the Canton Family YMCA has been able to
reduce their energy demand with fewer fixtures while providing more
light. Previously, the Canton Family YMCA had 448 light fixtures
that required a total of 120,142 watts. The new lighting system
uses 424 light fixtures and only 54,240 watts. This reduction in
energy allowed the Canton Family YMCA to reduce their energy costs
by more than 50 percent. The reduction in costs, plus the Act On
Energy(TM) incentive will allow the project to pay for itself in
just 18 months. "There are several factors that affect our bottom
line, and allow us to serve kids, families, seniors, and the
community better. Electrical and maintenance costs are factors that
affect our business. By saving money on our energy and maintenance
costs, we can provide better programs and facilities to our
community that will enhance their lives. That is the Canton Family
YMCA mission," Heller said. The Ameren Illinois Utilities launched
the Act On Energy(TM) (http://www.actonenergy.com/) program in June
2008 to help their electric distribution business customers spend
less money by using less energy. Those who choose to participate in
this program may realize these benefits: -- Incentives from the
Ameren Illinois Utilities for the implementation of approved
electric energy efficiency measures. -- Electric energy efficiency
modifications to buildings and operating systems can reduce
electric energy use, which will lower electric energy bills. --
Typically, electric energy efficiency projects boost employee and
customer comfort and help improve productivity. -- Reductions in
energy use have an environmental impact by reducing a business'
carbon footprint and helping decrease the need for new or expanded
electric generating plants. The Act On Energy(TM) initiative
features an incentive program for business customers who install
qualified energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems,
refrigeration and motor systems. In addition, incentives are
available for qualified customs projects such as variable-frequency
drives on process fans and pumps, compressed air system
improvements, improvements to reduce energy use in manufacturing
processes and other initiatives. Program Year Two of the Act On
Energy(TM) Business will begin on June 1, 2009, and incentive
dollars will double from Program Year One. Complete information,
including application forms, is available at the Act On Energy(TM)
Web site (http://www.actonenergy.com/) in the "For My Business"
section, or by calling 1-866-800-0747. The Ameren Illinois
utilities serve 1.2 million electric customers and more than
840,000 natural gas customers in a 43,700-square-mile area of
Illinois. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090122/AQTH066
DATASOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities CONTACT: Leigh Morris,
+1-217-535-5228, or Neal Johnson, +1-309-677-5284, both of Ameren
Illinois Utilities Web site: http://www.ameren.com/
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