Mayor Rahm Emanuel was today recognized by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) with the 2019 Inspiring Efficiency Award in the Leadership category. The Inspiring Efficiency Awards honor leaders who delivered groundbreaking advancements in energy efficiency in five categories: Leadership, Education, Impact, Innovation and Marketing.

“Now, more than ever, it is up to local leaders to develop plans for a sustainable 21st century economy,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “From moving to 100 percent renewable energy in our public buildings, to supporting our private partners as they work to reduce emissions, Chicago is showcasing to the world the impact that cities can have on climate change for their residents and for people around the world.”

MEEA selected Mayor Emanuel as an award recipient because of his leadership in the numerous sustainability initiatives that position Chicago as a national leader in energy efficiency. To reduce energy costs, the City launched the Chicago Smart Lighting Project with plans to install 270,000 energy-saving lights by 2021. The new, efficient LED street lights use between 50 to 75 percent less electricity than traditional high-pressure sodium lamps. This is the largest smart street lighting project in the United States. Most recently, the city launched the Renewable Energy Challenge, a voluntary leadership effort to accelerate the installation of renewable energy in commercial and institutional properties across the City. The initiative builds upon the City’s commitment to using 100 percent renewable energy to power all City buildings by 2025.

The Renewable Energy Challenge continues to build on the leadership position Mayor Emanuel has taken on climate change locally and nationally. In December 2017, the City of Chicago hosted the North American Climate Summit which launched the Chicago Climate Charter, a first-of-its-kind international charter on climate change. The Mayor also signed an Executive Order committing the City to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Last year, Chicago was ranked as the nation's greenest city by the Green Building Adoption Index for the second year in a row, with 70 percent of its space green certified and became one of the first cities in the world to achieve LEED for Cities Platinum Certification, the highest level of certification available from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Chicago was also the first major city to receive the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the US EPA.

“This year’s Inspiring Efficiency Award winners have proven to be champions of energy efficiency within their communities,” said MEEA Executive Directory Stacey Paradis. “The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is proud to recognize and honor the commitment of these individuals and organizations for saving energy, creating economic opportunities, protecting the environment and advancing clean energy across the Midwest.”

ABOUT THE MIDWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE:

The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest for sustainable economic development and environmental stewardship across 13 states. MEEA is the Midwest’s key proponent and resource for energy efficiency policy, helping to educate and advise a diverse range of stakeholders on ways to pursue a cost-effective, energy-efficient agenda. Through partnerships, programs and a dynamic annual conference, we curate a forward-thinking conversation to realize the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency. www.mwalliance.org.

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