Hub December 2025 Newsletter
Building Energy Hub December 2025 Newsletter
Greetings -
As the Hub team wraps up 2025, we look back on a defining year of impact. Read below to see what the most popular Hub resources in 2025 were, and what’s coming up in 2026.
Happy Holidays from our team at the Building Energy Hub and Illinois Green Alliance!
We are planning our 2026 programming, so if you have any suggestions or would like to see specific resources, email us at info@buildingenergy.hub.
Thanks,
Katie, Rimjhim, Matt & Kieran
The Hub Team
Hub 2025 Wrapped
This was a banner year for the Building Energy Hub! We hosted 30 webinars and released 10 new online resources, in addition to launching The Building Energy Pod and our Vendor Directory. Check out our 2025 Hub Wrapped below where we highlight our most popular resources and education programs!
Check out our most popular resources of the year, which cover a range of topics from funding and financing to Stretch Code policies and the basics of building electrification!
- Funding and Financing Resources
- Building Performance & Decarbonization Guide
- Building Electrification 101
- Energy Efficiency Checklist
- Illinois Stretch Code Guide
Below are the top 3 most popular virtual education programs we hosted in 2025.
- Funding Your Green Projects: Federal & Incentives Updates
- Innovative Gas Technologies & the Role of Utilities in a Clean Energy Future
- The Business Case for Decarbonization: Why it Matters Now
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move into 2026, the Building Energy Hub will continue to expand its role as a trusted, practical resource for building owners, property managers, building professionals, and local governments.
Education will remain at the core of our work. We will continue delivering accessible, expert-led programming, focused on turning decarbonization goals into actionable steps, from understanding funding mechanisms to navigating implementation challenges.
Our resource library will continue to grow and evolve. In 2026, you can expect:
- Updates to existing resources to reflect new policies and technologies
- New resources and checklists designed for real-world application
- Case studies highlighting on-the-ground building projects and lessons learned
- Building tours that connect theory to practice and showcase what’s working across Illinois
The Building Energy Pod will also continue in 2026, with new episodes released every other Friday. Through conversations with experts, practitioners, and partners, the podcast will further explore the policies, technologies, and people shaping the future of building energy.
New Episodes: The Building Energy Pod
In this conversation, Delmar Gillus, Chief Operating Officer of Elevate, discusses the importance of equity in clean energy initiatives, particularly in underserved communities. He emphasizes the role of workforce development in creating job opportunities and the importance of community engagement in building partnerships. Check out the full episode below!
Illinois Climate Bank Community Geothermal Planning + Pilots Phase One Grants
Illinois Finance Authority/ Illinois Climate Bank (ICB) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Phase One of the Community Geothermal Planning and Pilots Program. Phase One Planning Grants will fund planning and design activities for projects that have already begun preliminary development and can demonstrate early progress toward community-scale geothermal deployment, up to $250,000 per award.
- Application Due Date: February 13, 2026
- Available Funding: $1 million
- Award Range: Up to $100,000 - $250,000
End of Year Poll
Thank you for reading our newsletter throughout the year as we developed several new resources and educational programs, updated our branding, and curated information to help you make decisions for your buildings. Please help us improve this newsletter by responding to one quick question below:
Upcoming Hub Events
Finance Fridays: Energy Efficiency Future Grant
October 17 @ 12PM
Join the Hub for a free overview of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Equitable Energy Future Grant Program. This program provides upfront capital to support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit businesses, community organizations, and the workforce in historically disadvantaged communities.
Upcoming Partner Events
From the Ground Up: Geothermal Heating and Cooling Solutions
Hosted by U.S. Department of Energy Buildings Solutions Center
January 22, 2026 @ 10:00 AM
Across the U.S., organizations are tapping into the power potential under our feet: geothermal. Join this webinar to hear how partners have unleashed Earth's thermal power to heat and cool their buildings and campuses. Partners will highlight the unique flexibility of geothermal power and how this innovative technology can meet their building needs.
Power Up! How Organizations "Gamify" Energy Savings
Hosted by U.S. Department of Energy Buildings Solutions Center
January 29, 2026 @ 10:00 AM
Organizations have found different incentives to optimize their building occupants' energy management. This webinar highlights the "games" and competitions that partners have developed to help occupants achieve cost savings across their portfolios.
Midwest Energy Solutions Conference
Hosted by MEEA
January 27-29
Don't miss the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference happening this January in Chicago! It’s your chance to learn from the best in the industry, connect with peers and discover new solutions for a more energy efficient future.
