Reports Grade Illinois Poorly On Energy Use

Illinois is in the Dark Ages when it comes to using energy,according to two studies released Tuesday.

One report concludes that Illinois lags behind other Midwesternstates in energy conservation, while the other said the state rankspoorly in using renewable energy such as windmills, solar power andburning wood.

"Illinois has tremendous untapped potential in energy efficiencyand renewables," said Howard Learner of Chicago-based EnvironmentalLaw and Policy Center.

Energy conservation. On average, each Illinois residentconsumes the energy equivalent of 2,400 gallons of gasoline,according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, aWashington-based think tank.

A lot of that energy is wasted. The study found that Illinoisutilities do little to promote energy conservation, compared toseveral utilities in Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa. And, unlike moststates, Illinois has no statewide energy building code that would setstandards for attic insulation, energy-efficient windows and otherinstallations.

Although there's no state law, many Illinois cities have energybuilding codes, said Mitch Beaver of the Illinois Energy and NaturalResources Department. Electric utilities have done relatively littleto promote conservation, Beaver said, because they have plenty ofgenerating capacity.

Renewable energy. Among states, Illinois ranks 43rd in percapita consumption of energy from renewable energy sources such ashydroelectric plants, solar power, windmills and biomass, said PublicCitizen, a Washington-based watchdog group.

Biomass energy includes burning wood, generating electricityfrom landfill gas and burning ethanol in cars.

But Beaver said it's unfair to compare states' use of renewableenergy, because each state has different resources.

Illinois has little solar power because it's cloudy, fewwindmills because there's not much wind, not much wood burningbecause there are few forests and only a smattering of smallhydroelectric plants because there aren't any large waterfalls,Beaver said.

But Illinois is strong in ethanol - 17 percent of the state'scorn crop goes into making the renewable fuel, Beaver said.

"You have to use the natural resources you have in your state,"Beaver said.

The state spends about $1 million a year on renewable energy,among the highest amounts by any state, Beaver said.