Welcome to Community Energy Systems

Community Energy Systems’ mission is to educate the public regarding energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the prudent and fair operation of utility companies. We believe that mission requires both intellectual and practical applications. See our complete Mission Statement.

Seeking Donated Building

Community Energy Systems is seeking a donated building to convert to an Environmental Center. We would like to perform Springfield’s first ever Green Teardown and a Green Rebuild. This Environmental Center would serve as free office space for the various environmental groups in Springfield, IL. We would seek donations, residential wind turbines and solar panels to power the Center. If you or anyone you know can donate a house or an appropriate building in Springfield, IL please contact Community Energy Systems at 217-629-7031.

Achievements

At Community Energy Systems we are proud of our achievements in the last 6 years. These include:

2016 – The Annual Meeting was relatively brief. Because Illinois has no budget there are no legislation advocacy issues to discuss and the Excelon proposal still lurks out there. Doug suggested that he would put together an educational package concerning “Energy Conservation” like our 2010 efforts and try to present it to High School and College classes.

2015 – The Board and Doug came to almost instant agreement that the issue of the year was Excelon’s argument that nuclear power was a green power source. The legislation outlined in the press called for Excelon’s power plants to be a part of Illinois Clean Power Portfolio. This would result in a State reimbursement for Excelon to the tune of 68 million dollars. All concerned believes this is outrageous.

2014 – The CES Board and Ex. Dir. Doug Nicodemus had a discussion at the Annual Meeting. The decision was made to advocate for the construction of the Clean Energy High Voltage Power Line. It would bring much needed wind and solar energy from the plains region to Illinois.

2013 – The Board of Directors of CES made a decision at the annual meeting that CES will downplay its search for a donated building because the entire community of Springfield has been informed of this quest. For the next few years CES will focus on issue advocacy. After some discussion, it was decided that the most relevant energy issue in Illinois is Fracking. Doug said that he would devote the year to battling the practice.

2012 – For the third time CES hosted a booth at the LLCC Green Day. The Director, Doug Nicodemus gave guest talks to both the Green Clubs at UIS and LLCC and the LLCC first Green Center’s graduating class. The organization pursued properties for donation on North Grand and through the City of Springfield’s Community Revitalization Program. We also had a booth at the Earth Awareness Fair again at Southwind Park.

2011 – CES participated in many efforts at environmental outreach including: planning and working at the Earth Springfield meet and greet for elected officials, the Occupy Movement and their later marches, and the Environmental Awareness Fest at Southwind Park. We held meetings with our State Representatives to ask for their support. This included Larry Bomke, Rich Braur, Gary Mitchel, and Bill Brady none of whom were supportive and a meeting with Lt. Governor Shelia Simon who was very supportive.

2010 – CES met with and discussed the our goal of the creation of an Environmental Center in Springfield with all 10 of the Springfield’s City Council and then Mayor Davlin. We had similar discussion with relevant County Board members. We were the founding members of an environmental ad hoc group called Earth Springfield that held monthly meetings for the sharing of environmental information. Sought the donations of building including an abandoned building on English Street. Joined in opposition to the 3rd Street Corridors for High Speed Rail.

2009 – CES held 2 fundraisers with the Springfield Scooter Club. These Poker Scoots (Poker Runs) were fun and raised awareness about fuel efficient transportation. Through those Scoots CES gained its first Television coverage. We pursued two opportunities to establish the Environmental Center. Our Website continues to be very popular. CES’ website received over 100,000 visits.

2008 – Our biggest success was getting City Water Light and Power, the Springfield, IL utility to substantially increase its PURA Standards. Our second success was our web presence. We received nearly 100,000 visits on our Website. We also participated in groups such as Clean Air Springfield, The Earth Awareness Fair, and Safe Water Springfield.

2007 – Launching the organization. This included filing with the Federal, State, County and the Attorney General of Illinois all organizational papers to give CES Tax Exempt Status. We were awarded that status by the end of the year by all concerned. The creation of this website which includes content pages, and the Energy Tough Love blog. CES along with dozens of other organizations lobbied against and won a rate increase reduction for millions of Illinoisans.

Please Donate

Community Energy Systems is a small nonprofit organization. Please go to our donation page and make a contribution if you can.