• Posted: July 29, 2024
• Hy-Power Electric, IBEW Local 134., Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Skokie Village

In the latest episode of our YouTube series “The Power of Better,” viewers get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Countryside, Illinois Municipal Building, the state’s first Net Zero municipal complex and one of the first in the country. This groundbreaking facility produces as much energy as it consumes annually.

Hy-Power Electric led the construction of this 35,000-square-foot LEED-certified building in 2019. With over 600 solar panels installed, it’s capable of producing 275 megawatt-hours per year, and during peak production, excess power is returned to the energy provider.

Its standout features include a solar carport, a green roof, and EV charging stations. The windows are fitted with low-emissivity glass, making them 84% more eco-friendly than standard windows. Upon entering the building, you’ll find an interactive display showing real-time energy usage.

While this level of sustainability is impressive, most municipalities are just beginning their journey toward energy transformation and often need guidance on how to get started.

“We sympathize and understand the burden of code adoption, and we want them to understand that we’re here to help them, to help them through the process, help them understand and educate themselves on what they feel is the most current code they want to adopt,” said Matt Stolspart, Business Representative for IBEW Local 134.

To help municipalities achieve their sustainability goals, they have valuable allies like Edith Makra, Director of Environmental Initiatives at the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. 

“The EV readiness program provides a pathway for municipalities to be EV ready, and it’s everything from code adoption to permitting to safety training to electrifying fleets,” said Makra.

The Village of Skokie is an excellent example of a local government committed to sustainability. With 1,000 registered electric vehicles, they have implemented a straightforward online permitting process to ensure residents can install EV charging stations safely and efficiently.

“EV owners typically are focused on the convenience and the benefits of the technology. It’s our job to make sure that those charging stations are installed correctly, and with the permitting and inspection process, it is,” said Brad Maggi, Operations Manager of Skokie Village.

Executing this transition correctly and safely requires specialized training, which is where Bob Hattier, the Executive Director of IBEW Local 134, comes in.

“The main thing is we have to keep in mind these are electrical systems. They are both going to interact with an existing electrical infrastructure. So we need to make sure that it’s of the appropriate capacity and that we have that up to code,” said Hattier.

While many municipalities are working towards adopting renewable energy, the standard set by the Countryside, Illinois Municipal Building is a goal that numerous local governments strive to achieve. For more information on renewable energy initiatives and EV readiness, watch episode 11 of The Power of Better and subscribe to Powering Chicago’s YouTube channel so you don’t miss out on future episodes.