As the United States faces mounting energy challenges, the State of Illinois is committed to doing its part to support alternative energy sources, new technology and increased efficiency, according to Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who served as the keynote speaker at Eaton Corp.’s energy conference, Energy Evolution 2010, held Monday, June 7, in Chicago.
The event, the third in a series of nationwide events, was hosted by Eaton as part of its continuing effort to provide leaders from the public sector and industry with the tools they need to navigate rapidly evolving needs for improved energy management. Among other initiatives, Eaton is working on hybrid projects with Com Ed, the Chicago Bureau of Transportation and other organizations to deliver substantial fuel economy and emissions savings to the city.
“We must work together to address effectively the energy challenges we face as a state and as a nation,” said Quinn, who has made clean energy and green jobs top priorities of his administration. “This symposium will help us continue to foster innovation and generate solutions to confront our energy challenges and create a more sustainable future.” Quinn highlighted several of the state’s green energy strategies, from grants to train workers in smart grid technologies to the state’s Energy Star Appliance Rebate program that has helped families purchase energy-efficient appliances.
Craig Arnold, Eaton vice chairman and chief operating officer, Industrial Sector, said that sustainability today is uniting environmental interests with corporate interests. “Given growing budget pressures and an emphasis on the great need for increased energy efficiency, it makes powerful economic sense to go green,” Arnold said. “We all have a part to play in protecting our nation’s resources for future generations, and it is encouraging to have started this important dialogue between the public sector, academia and business to lead the way toward a sustainable economy.”
