The Clean Industry Concierge is a program supporting industrial decarbonization across Illinois. This program is a part of a broader effort led by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to address the “Kick-starting Industry Decarbonization” and “Expanding Climate-Smart Agriculture” priority areas defined in the state’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). It is led collaboratively by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Energy Resources Center (ERC) and the EnergySense Resilience Center within the University of Illinois System.

Who is the Clean Industry Concierge For?

The Clean Industry Concierge serves a broad range of Illinois industry, including all forms of manufacturing, wastewater treatment (including municipal operations), food processors and retailers, commercial and industrial entities that utilize refrigeration, and agricultural operations related to the management of organic wastes (from crops or livestock).

Program Services

The program offers a full suite of services to Illinois industry:

  • On-site decarbonization, energy, and process efficiency assessments and remote assistance. Our experts will visit your facility and prepare a report of recommendations to save resources, cut costs, and provide a long-term pathway to facility decarbonization. We also offer remote support – quick answers to energy questions, equipment or process changes, technical guidance, and help finding and applying for funding. See the Assistance section of this website for further details and to request assistance.
  • Workforce training. Through an internship program, we will pair Illinois college and university students with manufacturers and other industrial clients to identify and implement energy efficiency and other decarbonization opportunities. Students will be vetted and mentored by ERC and EnergySense staff. See the Workforce Training section of this site for further details, including application information for businesses and students.
  • Webinars, workshops, and other training opportunities. See the Events Calendar for upcoming training opportunities and the Webinars & Workshops Archive for materials and recordings of past events. See our Resources pages for technology and funding resources.
  • Stakeholder engagement. Connecting manufacturers, contractors, communities, and partnership organizations to support and drive participation in industrial decarbonization for IL.

The Clean Industry Concierge program also includes two special subprograms focused on climate action for specialized sectors:

  • The Fluorinated Gas Reduction Program supports the adoption of ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in industrial and commercial food refrigeration sectors in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Technical support from the Clean Industry Concierge team and grants from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency are available. Learn more on the F-gas reduction program page.
  • The Biomethane Emissions Reduction, Capture, and Utilization Program supports the development of community-based systems that put biomethane to use, effectively reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Technical support from the Clean Industry Concierge team and grants from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency are available. Learn more on the biomethane program page.

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program provides funding for states to develop and implement climate action plans that aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Learn more at https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/climate-pollution-reduction-grants.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) received more than $430 million from the U.S. EPA to implement its Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for Illinois. The CCAP sets out a roadmap for decarbonization in the state, consistent with Gov. Pritzker's Executive Order 2019-06, which states that Illinois "must continue to fulfill, uphold, and exceed the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement."

Read the CCAP here.

For more information on all IEPA Climate Pollution Reduction programs visit https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/climate/climate-pollution-reduction-grants.html.

 

 

Header photo by Gorodenkoff for Adobe Stock Images, Education License - University of Illinois