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Efforts are ramping up at the state and federal levels to create more green energy infrastructure. There’s a lot in the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois to stimulate creation of infrastructure, and advocates are increasingly trying to get public buy-in of what will change the landscape — sometimes literally.
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A lot of attention has gone to state and federal policy initiatives to address climate change, but some measures need to happen at the local level, including so-called "smart surfaces" that could become a larger part of the look of the Town of Normal.
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Most solar panel projects in Normal have been roof mounted so far but there is potential for more ground mounted units like the one the council approved this week for Grace Church on Hovey Avenue.
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The Normal Town Council has awarded Bloomington-based Garneau Construction a nearly $145,000 contract to handle specialized masonry and other repair tasks at the Broadview Mansion bell tower.
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Olympia middle school and high school students have returned to the classroom, weeks after their school in western McLean County was heavily damaged by fire.
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The money will help more than 60 Illinois farmers and businesses install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.
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State Farm and Rivian are both contracting with clean energy providers to reduce their carbon footprints. State Farm said it's buying enough zero emission renewable energy to power its buildings in Bloomington.
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A New York company, EDP Renewables, has requested a permit to build a five-megawatt solar farm east of Bloomington, while Denver-based ASD McLean IL Solar III wants to build a two-megawatt solar farm south of the city.
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Illinois State University already recycles, tries to reduce food waste, and is swapping out lighting fixtures for lower energy LED fixtures. Elisabeth Reed, the director of ISU's Office of Sustainability and member of the Presidential Sustainability Council, said ISU's first Sustainability Strategic Plan plan offers a road map to do more.
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The McLean County Board on Thursday unanimously approved two solar farms that after learning union workers would be involved in their construction.