Crystal Lake Green Drinks
In McHenry County, the first Wednesday of each month is
Green Wednesday!
We'll be celebrating our 1 year anniversary on September 1st, from 5 - 7 pm at Duke's in Crystal Lake.
Great program lined up for the 1st Anniversary: Scott Turik, 8020 Power Corp, on Charging Stations for electric cars, Rep. Tryon on new state legislation to make financing of renewables easier and Jack Darin, Ex. Director of Illinois Sierra Club on the newest solar legislation! Please help get the word out about this program.
So where is Illinois in this process? The September 1 Crystal Lake Green Drinks program will feature Scott Turik from Eighty Twenty Power Corp and guest Illinois State Representative Mike Tryon speaking about current Illinois and national legislation efforts concerning clean energy financing programs for property owners. Scott will also talk about the Illinois Transportation Electrification Network (I-TEN) initiative currently underway through Carbon Day Automotive. The I-TEN project is laying the foundation for Electric Vehicle and PHEV smart-grid charging stations in communities across the State and the Midwest.
Bio
Scott Turik is a consultant working in the areas of renewable energy and smart-grid technologies. His company, Eighty Twenty Power Corp, helps city and county governments structure and finance sustainable clean energy programs using federal and state funding mechanisms, grants, and private investment sources. Scott is a certified solar thermal professional and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 15 years experience as a program manager in both the private and public sector, with a diverse background in finance, telecommunications, information security, and most recently clean energy consulting.
For Immediate Release - August 17, 2009
Contact: Jack Darin (312) 251-1680x7
QUINN SIGNS NEW LEGISLATION TO JUMPSTART
ILLINOIS SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY
New Clean Energy Programs to Create 5,000 New Jobs, Cut Pollution
Today Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed two new laws to jumpstart Illinois’ emerging solar energy industry.
“Illinois can look forward to a brighter future with new jobs and cleaner air by catching the sun’s rays and turning them into power for our homes and businesses,” said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter. “Illinois has more sunshine than most people realize, and we’re in a position to create good jobs manufacturing and installing solar technology across our state.”
Today Quinn signed two pieces of solar energy legislation - HB 6202 and HB 5429. House Bill 6202 requires Illinois regulated utilities to start buying some electricity from solar power plants starting in 2012, with steadily increasing amounts until 2015, when 6% of renewable energy purchases must come from solar power plants. By providing a reliable market for solar developers, these purchase targets give the growing solar industry a green light to invest in Illinois and create new jobs, revenue and clean energy here in our communities. According to the Environmental Law and Policy Center, more than 5,000 solar panel installation, manufacturing and maintenance jobs will be created by the legislation.
"Soon some of the electricity powering our homes will be coming from solar energy, in addition to the wind power we have started using in recent years," said Darin. "We have created thousands of new wind power jobs with those purchases, and now stand to gain up to 5,000 new jobs by growing the solar industry - all while making deep cuts in air pollution."
"By removing barriers to solar power developers, these measures will create approximately 5,000 new jobs between now and 2015," said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), a chief sponsor of HB 6202 in the Illinois Senate. "The cost of solar power has dropped dramatically, and by investing in solar energy now Illinois will be well-positioned to attract solar manufacturing and installation jobs and businesses."
"This puts Illinois in a strong position to attract good, clean energy jobs in the growing solar energy industry," said State Representative Will Burns (D-Chicago), who sponsored HB 6202 in the Illinois House. "Solar power offers potential jobs in communities that need them most, and cleaner air for all of us to breathe."
Quinn also signed HB 5429, the Homeowners’ Solar Rights Act, on Tuesday. The legislation clarifies the rights of homeowners living in homeowner or condominium associations to put solar panels on the property and outlines a process for that to occur. Many homeowners who have wanted to hire local contractors for rooftop solar projects have been thwarted by outdated association rules.
"This legislation removes barriers for many homeowners who want to put solar panels on their roofs, but have been prevented from doing so by outdated restrictions," said State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D- Chicago), who sponsored HB 5429, the Homeowners' Solar Rights Act, in the Illinois House. "Now Illinois homeowners who want to cut pollution and their utility bills by installing solar panels will be free to do so."
The McHenry County Green Drinks group gathers monthly upstairs at Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N Main Street in Crystal Lake. We welcome folks from all over McHenry County. (oh, heck - we'll welcome you even if you're from the Windy City... or Wisconsin... or wherever! :-) Make new connections, learn new environmental information, and have fun!
Preset drink menu includes fun, food and friends, info and inspiration, business and pleasure. Come talk about “greening” the future with others. Must be 21 to purchase alcohol - non-alcoholic drinks are available, of course!
We have an information table set up, and you are welcome to bring information about your green products and services each month to share.
Additional parking is available at the train station.
To be added to our email list, send a note to: GreenDrinks@mcdefenders.net