Global Philanthropy Partnership Extends Deadline for Request For Proposals

Deadline Extended to November 18, 2009 for Performance Measurement Data Gathering System

A Request For Proposals (RFP) issued by the Global Philanthropy Partnership for a performance measurement data gathering system for the Chicago Climate Action Plan. The deadline for proposal responses has been extended to 4pm CST, Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

Download the information (PDF).

9/24 Webinar: Getting Ready for the Sustainability Index

Last day to register is 9/22

On July 16th, Walmart launched a bold new initiative to assess companies and products along its supply chain. The Index asks 15 key questions, and its depth and complexity has immediately become a subject of debate. It also sets the stage for how we will understand and define ‘sustainability’, reflecting the view of the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, in partnership with academics, NGOs, industry groups, and other retailers.

Are you ready to comply?

Join Rand Waddoups, Walmart’s Senior Director for Sustainability, in conversation with GreenBiz.com Executive Editor Joel Makower to discuss the Sustainability Index and answer your questions. In this exclusive fast-paced and informative 90-minute session you’ll gain valuable insights that will help your firm:

* Understand the details of the Index and its ramifications for your company
* Understand how Walmart plans to use the information in the Index
* Get the information needed to develop your own plan for meeting or exceeding the expectations set by the Index.


This 90-minute webinar will include extensive time for audience Q&A. It’s an unprecedented opportunity to gain understanding and insight directly from Walmart on the details behind the Sustainability Index.

The Sustainability Index is set to have a far-reaching impact in the management of supply chains. Whether you’re a Walmart supplier, or a professional involved in supply chain management and sustainability, you can’t afford to miss this important event. Registration per attendee is $99.

September 24, 2009
12:00-1:30 pm Eastern Time
9:00-10:30 am Pacific Time
an archive version of the webinar will also be available after the event for paid registrants)

Learn more.

Understanding State, Regional and Federal Climate Policy and What You Need to do to be Prepared

15 October 2009, 8:30am-12:30pm
Chicago Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams, Room 570

In the past year, we have seen a significant amount of activity surrounding climate change regulation at the State, Regional and Federal level. To better understand the climate change picture, members of IL EPA, The Climate Registry, Stuart School of Business, and Registry member companies will provide an overview of the current landscape and outline how companies can prepare for future regulation. The overview will dive into the following content:

Agenda (as of September 2)
· Introduction, an Overview of state, regional and federal climate policy – IL EPA Director Doug Scott
· What is EPA proposing at the national level and how might it impact you – Denise Sheehan, Vice President, Government and Regional Affairs, The Climate Registry
· How does the Waxman-Markey bill fit into the equation – Denise Sheehan, The Climate Registry
· How voluntary reporting can help you get prepared – Ann McCabe, Midwest Regional Director, The Climate Registry
· Carbon Management – Stuart School of Business
· What you can learn from building a greenhouse gas inventory: Companies will share their experiences. Panel will include Climate Registry members Bob Sullivan of S&C Electric, Sonya Newenhouse of Madison Environmental and others.

The event is climate policy forum is hosted by the Illinois EPA and The Climate Registry. It is free but seating is limited.

The Climate Registry is a nonprofit collaboration of North American states, provinces, territories and Native Sovereign Nations that sets consistent and transparent standards to calculate, verify and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions into a single registry. The Registry supports both voluntary and mandatory reporting programs and provides comprehensive, accurate data to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

RSVP to Mary McDonald, IL EPA, Mary.McDonald@Illinois.gov.
Deadline: October 9.

Questions, contact Ann McCabe, Midwest Regional Director, The Climate Registry, at (773) 661-1230 or ann@theclimateregistry.org.

Learn more.

OCC Hosts Web and Telephone Seminar on SBA Lending Programs

September 21, 2009 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will host a live Web and telephone seminar that focuses on changes to SBA Lending Programs resulting from the Recovery Act. These loan programs represent opportunities for banks to provide long-term financing to small business customers who would not otherwise be able to find the type of financing that allows them to preserve capital for long-term growth.

SBA Lending Programs can be attractive to banks because these loans can retain and attract customers, assist in risk and liquidity management, provide fee and interest income, and may be given positive consideration under the Community Reinvestment Act under certain conditions. Participants will have an opportunity to ask panelists questions during the seminar, online or by telephone.

Panelists include Barry Wides, OCC Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs; Grady B. Hedgespeth, Director, Office of Financial Assistance, Small Business Administration; and Pat Thomson, President, Grow America Fund, National Development Council. The OCC live Web and telephone seminar program is part of the agency’s educational outreach program to the banking community by allowing people from across the country to listen to OCC experts and industry professionals. The cost of the seminar is $75.

For information or to register online or call (800) 775-7654 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. (CDT).

UofI Students Need Support for Solar Powered Home

Illinois Solar Decathlon

Students with the Illinois Solar Decathlon, are in a competition at the University of Illinois, sponsored by the D.O.E., that challenges them to design, build, transport & present a fully functional, 100% solar powered home on the National Mall this October. For the last two years, over 200 students have been working on the project and construction is now nearing completion. Images & info.

Toward the end of September, the home will be transported to DC. Students have raised over $460,000 of the $550,000 budget so far through numerous grants, donations, sponsorships and corporate support but still require the remaining money to successfully complete the project.

In exchange for sponsoring the project, your logo and contact information will be listed on their website, Team Uniform to be worn on National Mall, construction sign on the Illinois Campus, individual brochures given to tens of thousands of visitors and other marketing materials. The students will be hosing an open house campus in Urbana-Champaign with thousands of visitors. The home will be seen by over 200,000 people in Washington DC, and thousands more through our own media outreach.

Please contact Joe Simon with your questions or for additional information at jjsimon@illinois.edu or by calling (847) 602-3453.

Learn more.

Illinois has over $100 Million Available For Energy Efficiency & More

October Deadlines!

The Illinois Energy Office administers a portfolio of programs designed to invest in the development of Illinois’ Green Economy including renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, green buildings, biofuels, and more.

The additional funding under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the State Energy Program will allow DCEO to develop new programs and expand current programs in order to fund cost-effective energy projects that create and retain Illinois jobs, reduce energy consumption (and costs), increase renewable energy capacity, reduce green house gas emissions, and leverage private funds.

The Illinois Energy Plan is the most comprehensive and innovative program to date to address the state’s energy needs. This investment is important to the state’s overall economic recovery and will strengthen Illinois’ position as a leader in Sustainable, Clean, Renewable, American Energy.

Learn more.

Vendors Sought for 10/17 Green Home Expo

Saturday, October 17th, from 10am to 4pm at the Merchandise Mart

Chicago's Department of Community Development is collaborating with the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association in the 2009 Chicago Bungalow and Green Home Expo. This is Chicago's largest and most popular home restoration, preservation and energy-efficient renovation expo. Last year's Expo drew nearly 10,000 bungalow and "green" home enthusiasts.

Vendors whose products and services will benefit homeowners or potential homebuyers are needed. Attendees at the annual event look for products and expertise on everything from energy-efficient appliances to rehabbing woodwork. Companies using, promoting, or selling environmentally friendly and sustainable products and services will complement an exciting array of vendors specializing in bungalows and historic preservation and rehabilitation.

The exhibitor's fee for the Expo is $250 for individual craftspeople and $800 for business enterprises (of more than 5 employees). Non-profit organizations are free of charge.

To register, please complete the online Participation Form. Registration deadline: Friday, Sep 4th. If you have questions, please call Xochitl, Assistant Commissioner, Dept. of Community Development at (312) 744-0496.

Learn more.

Feds OK $101M green grant funds for Ill.

An Illinois proposal that would use federal stimulus money to jump-start manufacturing of wind turbine components and create other green energy businesses was approved by the Energy Department Friday.

The state will get $40.5 million for energy-efficiency grants and another $50 million later on to fully fund the program after demonstrating its performance, plus administrative expenses, for a total of $101 million.

Click the link below for the full story.

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Oct 19-24 Learn About Sustainable German Architecture Firsthand

The ”Architecture Multiplier Trip to Germany for Architects and Building Professionals”, organized by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACCoM), provides a unique opportunity to learn more about recent market developments and building solutions in the energy efficiency field. The program includes an introduction to Passive House design and a presentation at Behnisch Architects, visits to the Freiburg Solar Info Center and the Duisburg Fraunhofer inHaus Center, fascinating site-visits with leading architects and engineers showcasing their intelligent building systems with features such as geothermal energy, energy efficient facades, innovative climate engineering and much more. Develop valuable business relationships with German companies and experts and gain hands-on experiences with the world-leader in energy efficient and sustainable building technology! Cost is approximately $2985 per person.

Learn more.

ShoreBank will use $35 million of Tax Credits to Promote Green Collar Jobs

ShoreBank was awarded $35 million in New Markets Tax Credits by the U.S. Treasury Department and is hard at work identifying energy-efficiency, alternative energy and green building projects in Chicago that can benefit from the funds.

Who they are looking for:
-Grocery stores and retailers who want to reduce utility expenses or develop new green buildings
-Community organizations that would like to complete energy-efficiency retrofits or other green improvements to reduce operating costs
-Schools, affordable housing developers, and hospitals looking at installing alternative energy systems that will reduce costs

Read more about stimulus money being allocated to local banks.