The Kane County Energy & Environmental Committee on Dec. 12 approved a resolution to accept a pending low-income energy-efficiency outreach and engagement grant (staff said the award is $25,000 pending finalization) and advanced several implementation items including EV-charger grant planning and updated SMART goals.

Sarah Hinshaw, who presented the sustainability and energy-efficiency updates, described the grant application and the outreach package it would fund: banners and interactive exhibits at libraries and community venues, raffles for energy audits, weatherization packages and demonstrations aimed at low-income residents. "I hope you guys pass this because it is receiving $25,000," Hinshaw said; the committee then moved and seconded a resolution to accept the pending award.

Commissioner Gassett moved the resolution and Draftman seconded. The clerk called the roll; the motion carried with affirmative votes recorded by the clerk and voices of assent from the committee.

Hinshaw also briefed the committee on EV charger planning and external grant opportunities. She summarized an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant analysis that identified rural charger gaps and described recent grant opportunities (Driving a Cleaner Illinois and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program) that could fund level-2 and fast chargers. She noted the county may act as an applicant on behalf of smaller site hosts and that incentive stacks (ComEd credits, federal rural incentives) could reduce site outlays to a modest per-site cost after incentives.

On SMART goals, Austin Powell presented a staff update and proposed adding a measurable action to notify the county board of emerging trends and to bring in four guest speakers in 2026. Committee members asked that goals explicitly reflect cost-savings and affordability where within the committee’s jurisdiction; staff agreed to refine wording and to return with revised metrics.

Other updates: staff circulated details for a TerraCycle facility tour in Aurora, summarized the new statewide paint-recycling law (effective Dec. 1) and described progress on an ADA-compliant Kane County Green Guide and multiple community outreach events.

Next steps: staff will submit the resolution documentation to the county board process for finalization of the grant acceptance, refine SMART-goal language to include savings metrics and pursue grant funding and intergovernmental agreements for EV charging infrastructure.