Month: January 2023

Energy Central

The Role of Gas Companies in a Net Zero Future: A Spotlight on Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhoods™

This article was originally featured in the Energy Central

There is a popular misconception that natural gas equals increased CO2 and poor air quality and that natural gas utilities are lagging behind electric utilities in terms of innovation in net zero. This is simply incorrect. Today’s highly efficient gas technologies like the newest heat pumps actually emit less CO2 than their electric counterparts. Coupling natural gas and electric, rather than converting homes to 100% electric, will not only keep energy prices lower for consumers, but also decrease the need for power plants and lessen the need to burn fossil fuels. Continue reading “The Role of Gas Companies in a Net Zero Future: A Spotlight on Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhoods™”

Chicago Tribune

Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Aurora seeks breakthrough in affordability

This article was originally featured in the Aurora Beacon-News

By Steve Lord
PUBLISHED: January 27, 2023

Aurora, Ill. – The key theme for the new Habitat Green subdivision planned for Aurora’s far West Side can be summed up in one word – affordability.

The goal of its planners is make the 17-house Habitat for Humanity subdivision “an affordable and resilient community,” while achieving energy efficiency, said Meena Beyers, vice president of Community and Business Development for Nicor, which serves 2.3 million customers in northern Illinois with natural gas.

Nicor is part of the planning for the development, which will be done by Habitat for Humanity. The company not only granted Habitat some of the money for the estimated $5.5 million project, it will provide natural gas heat for houses that will include many green elements, with the idea that the homes will be net zero as far as energy use. Net zero means that the subdivision will use only as much energy, overall, as it generates. It is a carbon neutral situation that can be achieved by combining natural gas and electric resources, officials said.

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