Chicago, IL – October 23, 2014 – The City of Arcola today was named 2014 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award winner for its efforts for its efforts to improve the energy-efficiency of several City facilities and generate part of its own electricity with solar and wind power. Effingham, IL based Tick Tock Energy, Inc. has worked with the City to develop an energy action plan, complete various feasibility studies, and perform the project installations.
City Administrator Bill Wagoner received the award on behalf of the City at today’s awards recognition event at the Chicago Hyatt Regency Hotel. The annual event hosted by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) and Office of the Governor honored twenty-four Illinois companies and organizations this year for their significant achievement in energy-efficiency, waste reduction, pollution prevention and environmental programming.
Arcola has implemented several innovative measures to reduce electricity use such as installation of a 40 kW wind turbine, 10 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) array, installation of a high efficiency aeration blower at its wastewater treatment plant, and comprehensive lighting upgrades in three facilities. Overall electricity savings from these measures have reached approximately 220,000 kWh per year and $23,000 annually. The projects were implemented over a 3-year period also captured $193,000 in grants from the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and IL Clean Energy Foundation (ICEF).
Tick Tock Energy is an Effingham IL based company providing turnkey installations of energy-efficient lighting retrofits, daylighting, solar PV systems, small-scale wind turbines, and energy monitoring solutions for residential, commercial, agricultural, and municipal clients in Illinois and greater Midwest. More information about Tick Tock Energy is available at www.ticktockenergy.com
The City of Arcola is small municipality, population 2,916, located in Central IL off Interstate I-57. The community is considered the gateway to Amish country and is home of Rockome Gardens, a popular tourist attraction. It is also known as “broomcorn capital of the world” celebrating its heritage and ties to the broomcorn and broom industry and also the birthplace of Johnny Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. More information about the City and government can be found at www.arcolaillinois.org