Smart Energy Forum

City Water, Light and Power is committed to providing its customers with smart, reliable power at the lowest possible cost. Over the past two years, CWLP has embarked on a number of new projects and initiatives to ensure a bright future for Springfield's energy program. Construction is nearing completion on a new 200-megawatt coal-fired unit, which will employ the best pollution control technologies available. In addition, up to 120 megawatts of wind power per year have been added to the utility's energy portfolio. With community participation, CWLP can continue its leadership role in the utility industry and remain independent from the volatility of higher cost power on the wholesale market.

In conjunction with new and expanded energy sources, CWLP has also launched an initiative to encourage customers to increase their efforts at energy conservation.

Community Feedback
CWLP welcomes input and ideas to help shape the most effective and desirable energy conservation programs. These programs will be good for the environment and will yield a cost savings on our customers' utility bills. In order to make it as easy as possible to gather ideas and suggestions, CWLP has established the Smart Energy Forum to reach out directly to the community.

The first aspect of the Smart Energy Forum is the establishment of smartenergy@cwlp.com to allow the public to submit comments via email. Comments may also be submitted by fax (217-789-2136, ATTN: CWLP Smart Energy) or mail (CWLP Smart Energy, Municipal Center East, 800 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62757).

As another means of outreach, CWLP hosts and participates in a series of Community Energy Meetings each year. These meetings are designed to update the public on the community's progress and to solicit suggestions and ideas on energy programs and related issues. CWLP uses the input received from these meetings to enhance and develop new energy efficiency and conservation programs.

n	Wednesday, March 11	6 p.m.	PAC Conference Room G University of Illinois-Springfield
n	Thursday, June 11	6 p.m.	Illinois National Bank Downtown Conference Center Fourth and Jackson Streets
n	Thursday, September 17	6 p.m.	Illinois National Bank Downtown Conference Center Fourth and Jackson Streets
n	Thursday, December 10	noon (luncheon meeting)	Illinois National Bank Downtown Conference Center Fourth and Jackson Streets

A synopsis of discussions covered during the June 11 Community Energy Meeting is available in a Power Point presentation on this website.

Your computer must be equipped with Microsoft Power Point
in order to view this presentation.

Other Forums
CWLP's Low-Cost/No-Cost Efficiency Workshops provide hands-on experience to customers on smart ways to lower their energy bills. Workshops for the general public are scheduled year-round. On-demand workshops for civic groups and other nonprofit organizations are available upon request for groups of 15-50. Contact the Energy Services Office for more information or to schedule a workshop.

Additionally, CWLP has reached out to the community to provide information on the construction of its new 200-megawatt coal-burning power plant in forums with various community groups, including the Greater Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Committee; CWLP key accounts; the city's largest commercial electric customers; and Clean Energy Springfield, a group charged with providing citizen input to CWLP regarding energy efficiency and other conservation measures.

What's New?
The utility has contracts to procure up to 120 megawatts of clean, renewable wind energy per year, of which the state of Illinois is eventually expected to use about 60 megawatts to power its Springfield facilities. CWLP applauds the efforts of the State for its strong commitment to renewable energy and protecting the environment.

In early 2008, CWLP contracted with RLW Analytics, Inc., a national firm that provides analytic, engineering and market research consulting for energy companies and end users, to conduct a community energy study. Using a combination of telephone interviews, on-site visits, and energy audits, RLW obtained information about Springfield's current building stock and the energy-efficiency features and practices that are already in place, as well as customer interest in new energy programs and technologies. The study will serve as the basis for decisions about the types of energy efficiency and demand-side management (DSM) programs the utility will offer to residential and commercial customers in the future.

CWLP is pleased to work with Clean Energy Springfield. This is a citizen group formed to assist CWLP in gathering public input for ideas and suggestions regarding energy efficiency and other conservation measures. For more information about this organization, check out its website at www.cleanenergyspringfield.org or its blog at www.cesblog.org.

Energy Efficiency Programs
CWLP's Energy Services Office (ESO) continues to provide a variety of services and programs aimed at helping customers increase the energy and water efficiency of their homes and businesses. ESO programs and services are designed to both educate customers about efficiency and how it can be achieved and to provide financial incentives to make certain efficiency measures more affordable.