Energy Efficiency Challenge Pits Evanston against Oak Park

The City of Evanston is participating in the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program Community Challenge from February through April with the goal of reducing community energy usage, according to a press release.

Evanston could win up to $25,000 in prize money and potentially $85,000 in rebate and incentive offerings from Nicor Gas to use towards a community project if the city enrolls new participants in one of six existing Nicor Gas programs.

The Energy Efficiency Program Community Challenge aims to help foster energy efficiency awareness and action within Evanston and Oak Park.

More details on the challenge from the City of Evanston:

1. Vote for a local non-profit to win an energy retrofit

The Evanston community will select one organization to be the beneficiary of the challenge based on an online voting process facilitated by the City of Evanston. 

Cast your vote now atwww.EngageEvanston.org for the community organization which will receive an energy efficiency retrofit using the prize money earned, as well as rebate and incentive money from Nicor Gas.

The eligible organizations are the Child Care Center of Evanston, Evanston History Center, McGaw YMCA and the YWCA Evanston/North Shore. 

Voting opened the morning of February 1, 2013 and runs for 10 days. One vote per person is allowed. 

Final selection of the specific energy efficiency project to be funded by the contest is subject to approval by Nicor Gas. 

2. Sign up for an energy efficiency program

For every homeowner or business that participates in one of several Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Programs, $50 will be awarded to each community’s final prize, up to a total of $25,000 per community.

The Community Challenge ends on April 30, 2013, at which point the City of Evanston will distribute the apportioned prize money from the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program toward the local energy conservation project that received the most votes.

The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program is designed to help customers by offsetting the cost of installing or implementing energy efficiency projects. To participate in the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program Challenge, call 773-321-2665 or visit: www.NicorGasRebates.com/Challenge. For Rules and Disclaimer, visit: www.nicorgasrebates.com/challenge.