2023 DuPage Environmental Summit: Electrifying DuPage County

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2023 Environmental Summit Agenda:
Illinois: One Million EVs by 2030
Speaker: Megha Lakhchaura, State of Illinois
In 2021, Illinois lawmakers passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act which set a goal of putting 1 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030. In November, 2022 DuPage County citizens voted to explore moving forward with infrastructure plans to support EVs. Ms. Lakhchaura will address the state’s plan to meet the goal and how government entities and individuals will be able to access available funds and incentives.
ComEd’s EV Toolkit
Speaker: Ken Amin, ComEd
This presentation is intended to help residential customers navigate their journey to EVs using ComEd’s EV Toolkit. Ken will walk through the various features of the toolkit to help customers make better informed decisions - from finding available EVs, and chargers on the market, to obtaining personalized fuel cost savings estimate from switching to an EV from a gas vehicle, and more. Learn more about ComEd’s EV Toolkit.
Implementing EVs in a Municipal Fleet
Speaker: Brian Bennett, City of Des Moines, Iowa
Historically municipal fleets have been powered by gas, diesel or in some rare cases bio fuel or natural gas. Now more municipalities are embracing new clean technology and advancing the electric vehicles of the future. By doing so, we can reduce the impact of vehicles and light trucks in our environment. Brian has already transitioned some of his City of Des Moines, IA fleet. He will review who initiated the EV shift, how they were financed, the vehicle maintenance and other issues related to his experience as Fleet Manager.
Solar and Permitting
Speaker: Marina Minic, Citizens Utility Board
This presentation will focus on solar and the benefits of clean energy. Marina will explain different solar programs and incentives you can get involved in, why clean energy is more affordable and reliable, and how policies like CEJA (Climate and Equitable Jobs Act) and the Inflation Reduction Act benefit consumers.
ComEd’s Solar Calculator
Speaker: Marla Westerhold, ComEd
This presentation will cover the tools and resources available to customers interested in exploring solar options. Marla will provide information about ComEd’s Rooftop Solar Calculator and the Community Solar Calculator which help customers size their solar system or subscription, as well as highlighting other offerings of the Green Power Connection team. Learn more about ComEd’s Solar Calculator.
Powering DuPage County: The Role of Energy Storage in the New Energy World
Speaker: Mark Frigo, Nexamp
Energy storage has the ability to transform and meet the needs of the new energy world. Mark will introduce energy storage and explain how it can meet the future needs of our electricity grid. More specifically, he will highlight the applications and benefits of energy storage, compare the different types of energy storage technology, give some project examples, and finally highlight some of the outstanding challenges associated with energy storage.
EV Myths: Q&A Panel
Speakers: David Beckwith & Lois Vitt Sale, EV Owners
An old saying goes, “it’s not your dad’s car anymore.” That certainly is the case with electric vehicles. There are approximately 47,000 electric vehicles in Illinois. With so many vehicles already on the road, many people see an electric vehicle and have either no concept about EVs, they have preconceived ideas or have been given false information about EVs. As owners of EVs, David and Lois will respond to the many myths they have heard about their vehicles and provide the answers people need to make their own transition to electric vehicles.
Closing Remarks