SAIC Is a Founding Member of Chicago Renewable Energy Challenge

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) joins six other institutions as a voluntary founding member to advance renewable energy in commercial and institutional properties through the Chicago Renewable Energy Challenge. Smart Cities Dive reported that the seven member institutions, including SAIC, have committed to collectively reducing 184.5 million total kilowatt-hours per year, enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes for a year. According to an official announcement, this “first-of-its-kind” initiative is modeled after Retrofit Chicago, another leadership program focused on improving energy efficiency, which preceded the Chicago Renewable Energy Challenge. 

With the collective aim to reducing energy needs by a total of 184.5 million kilowatt-hours per year, or the equivalent of taking nearly 30,000 cars off the road, to power more than 20,000 homes for one year, Mayor Emanuel observed, “Chicago is not only leading by example, but doing its part to work with our business community to drive down harmful carbon pollution while supporting clean energy jobs for the 21st century.” Read more about the Chicago Renewable Energy Challenge here.