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Illinois 31st State Senate District
Bond Pushes for New Environmental Measures
March 6, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, IL— State Senator Michael Bond (D-Grayslake) passed legislation out of the Senate State Government and Veterans’ Affairs Committee this week that will create a study to examine the energy consumption of buildings in Illinois. Bonds’ bill will utilize a label system to distinguish between varying levels of energy usage.
“This bill is a lot like looking at the miles-per-gallon sticker on a car,” Bond said. “This will allow individuals, businesses, and agencies interested in purchasing property to make responsible decisions on their purchases based upon the energy consumption of the building.”
SB 3429 requires the Capital Development Board (CDB), in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), to initiate a study of building energy performance measures to create a simple label that indicates a building’s energy use. The Board will report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly so that further action can be taken.
“Examining the amount of energy consumed by building operations is the first step in identifying how we can reduce our consumption,” Bond said. “How do we really know if a building is energy-efficient? It may be LEED certified, but what do we really know about its consumption levels? This easy to use system will eliminate this unknown factor.”
Bond has also introduced legislation this year designed to reduce the amount of material going into landfills. Senate Bill 3441 will create a pilot program to study the feasibility of recycling housing shingles in Illinois. The intent is to recycle the discarded shingles into asphalt that can be used in pavement for new road surfacing.
“This is a great way to find a new use for a product at the end of its life,” Bond said. Not only will this reduce our impact on the environment, it will also reduce the cost of asphalt. The Illinois Department of Transportation spends millions of dollars every year on asphalt for roads. This program could provide significant savings for the State.”
The final details of this legislation are still being discussed. Senator Bond plans on introducing the final language next week.
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