Commercial Energy

The Elgin CAP is working towards a future with a thriving commercial sector powered by clean, efficient energy.  

The Commercial Energy Climate Actions are:

• Implement Commercial Area Design Guidelines as defined in the Elgin Comprehensive Plan.
• Develop and implement a municipal building electrification program.
• Collaborate with Utility partners to decarbonize the local grid and to advance the decarbonization of the broader multistate regional grid.
• Encourage and incentivize net-zero building standards and building electrification for new commercial construction.
• Adopt and implement a municipal aggregation program.

Public Health & Safety

The CAP includes a vision for Elgin to be a safe, resilient and connected community that prioritizes well-being.

The Public Health & Safety climate actions are:

• Implement “heat island” mitigation strategies, particularly in neighborhoods affected by heat islands and areas with high levels of impervious surface coverage.
  
• Promote, incentivize and invest in neighborhood and community garden programs that enhance local food production and improve access to fresh, healthy food—especially for low-income and food-insecure individuals.
• Develop and launch an emergency preparedness and response educational campaign.
• Incentivize climate resiliency standards for new construction and development.

Residential Energy

The CAP is working towards a future where residential homes are powered by clean, affordable and reliable energy, with sustainable neighborhood design.  

The Residential Energy climate actions are:

• Promote programs that educate residents—homeowners, renters and landlords—on energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy retrofits.
  
• Promote financial assistance programs that empower residents to undertake energy efficiency improvements, with an emphasis on supporting low-income and energy-burdened households.
• Continue pursuing incentives and policies for improving residential building efficiency.
• Promote community renewable energy programs for residents.
• Implement Residential Area Design Guidelines as defined in the Elgin Comprehensive Plan.

Sequestration & Biodiversity

Through the CAP, Elgin is working towards prioritizing conservation, biodiversity and green space restoration.  

The Sequestration & Biodiversity climate actions are:

• Maintain a tree inventory, planting and management plan and adopt a tree preservation ordinance.
  
• Promote the use of low-impact development and green infrastructure, particularly in natural areas with sensitive environmental features.
• Develop and launch a pollinator garden program that supports habitat and pathways for pollinators.
• Incorporate incentives for mitigation measures and buffering strategies in development codes to address waterways, floodways and flood-prone areas.
• Convert vacant lots and buildings into green spaces.

Sustainable Resource Consumption

The CAP sets a vision for Elgin to be a community that minimizes waste and protects natural resources.

The Sustainable Resource Consumption climate actions are:

• Launch a water conservation educational campaign.
  
• Develop and establish a "buy local" program and marketing campaign that promotes procuring food and other products from local food producers and Elgin-based businesses.
• Minimize waste generation and improve recycling and organics collection programming.
• Collaborate regionally to promote food waste recovery initiatives.
• Promote the repurposing and sharing of underutilized or vacant building spaces and resources among local businesses and organizations.

Transportation & Mobility

The Elgin CAP is working towards a future where transportation systems and infrastructure align with community needs, are affordable to users, minimize pollution and create safe, accessible connections between home, work, learning and other services.

The Transportation & Mobility climate actions are:

• Identify improvements for bus stops and shelters along all major routes and work with related transit agencies to ensure such facilities are accessible.
  
• Assess the feasibility of transitioning the municipal fleet and contracted services to zero-emission vehicles. Pursue opportunities that align with the recommendations from the fleet transition assessment.
  
• Explore opportunities to develop transportation demand management incentives and programs.
• Incentivize new development to include EV charging infrastructure and bike parking and storage.
• Launch an educational campaign to raise awareness and promote the benefits of electric vehicles.
• Pursue policy, projects, initiatives and programs that foster a walkable, bikeable and transitive-supportive community.