At the recent board meeting held on Tuesday, Sustainability Coordinator Carrie Malfeo announced that the Village of Park Forest has been honored with the ComEd Energy Efficiency Champion Award. 

Malfeo said this recognition highlights the Village's ongoing efforts to promote and implement energy-efficient practices within its facilities. During her presentation, Malfeo elaborated on the Village's proactive approach in seeking out and engaging in a variety of projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency. She emphasized the importance of leveraging various federal, state, and local incentives available for such initiatives, including participation in the ComEd Small Business and Public Facilities programs. 

These programs are designed to support municipalities in their quests to reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs. Malfeo said in a significant step towards sustainability, the Village undertook a major lighting upgrade at the Park Forest Police Department in 2024, replacing traditional lighting with  LED fixtures. This transition to LED technology is anticipated to result in annual cost savings, estimated at around $15,500 while achieving a reduction of 140,204 kWh in energy usage. 

Commenting on the award, Malfeo stated, "Receiving this award from ComEd is a testament to the Village's unwavering commitment to implementing innovative projects that significantly enhance energy efficiency across all of our facilities." 

Malfeo further expressed the Village's dedication to continuously seek out new opportunities and strategies to lead in sustainability efforts, underscoring Park Forest's role as a pioneer in promoting environmental stewardship within the community and beyond.