DANVILLE — The city was one of about half a dozen communities in central Illinois named as a “Most Progressive City” by Ameren Illinois’ ActOnEnergy Program.

The award is in recognition of significant energy efficiency efforts made by Danville businesses.

“Between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011, 30 Danville businesses completed 50 ActOnEnergy projects that received nearly $264,000 in incentive payments,” said Mark Harbaugh, manager of Ameren Illinois Division IV, in a press release. He presented the award Tuesday to Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer.

“These projects are now saving Danville businesses about 6.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. That is enough electricity to meet the demands of 610 single family homes for a year,” Harbaugh said.

He added that “through these projects, power plant emissions and carbon footprints are reduced, resources are conserved and businesses become more competitive, all of which benefit employees, consumers and the community at large.”

The 30 Danville businesses completing projects were: Viscofan USA Inc.; ThyssenKrupp Crankshaft; Mervis Industries; Vermilion Steel; Covington Foods Inc.; Flex-N-Gate; Circle K; Steel Grip Inc.; Danville Metal Stamping Co.; Safi Sana (car wash company); Lebanon Seaboard Corp; Chem Cast LTD; Vermilion Association for Special Education; Ceader’s Quality Collision Repair; Thermo Techniques, LLC; Kirby Risk Electrical Supply; Kesler, Garman, Brougher & Townsley, PC; Aldi Foods Inc.; Center for Children’s Services; Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan; Vermilion Liquors North; First Illinois Credit Union; Acton & Snyder LLP; Local 157; First United Methodist Church; Colonial Pantry; Village Mall; Sooley Chiropractic; Walgreens Co.; and Edward D. Jones.

The city has never received this award before.

“I am very excited that our city is being recognized for its efforts in energy conservation, and applaud the businesses in our community who took advantage of the Act

OnEnergy Program to aid in their ‘green’ initiatives,” Eisenhauer said through an e-mail.

“Ameren has been a great partner with the city, and we appreciate their willingness to work with our area businesses providing dollars for individualized conservation concepts. While this is the first year we have received such an outstanding honor, my hopes are that by educating more businesses and entities in our city about the advantages of Ameren’s Act

OnEnergy Program we will be so recognized again in the future,” Eisenhauer said.

He added that “I thank Ameren Illinois President and CEO Scott Cisel, Division IV Manager Mark Harbaugh, Government Liaison Jenifer Hagen and the entire Ameren Illinois Company for this honor, and we look forward to our continued partnership in the future.”

Since ActOnEnergy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual incentive dollars available to business customers has grown from $3 million to $19.2 million. The program is funded through a small charge (Rider EDR for electricity customers and Rider GER for natural gas customers) on customer bills. These charges are mandated by state law.

ActOnEnergy offers business customers — including private schools and nonprofits — energy efficiency incentives for lighting, refrigeration, motor systems and HVAC systems. Incentives also are available for retro commissioning, multi-family buildings, commercial kitchen equipment and hotel and motel guest room energy management systems.

There is a program for grain and livestock farmers, providing incentives for lighting upgrades, livestock waterers and such high-efficiency equipment as circulation fans, water heaters and exhaust fans.

ActOnEnergy also offers the Small Business Online Store, commercial kitchens program, grocery/convenience store incentives and custom incentives.

“Our business customers can realize significant savings when they participate in our program,” said Cheryl Miller, ActOnEnergy business program manager, also through Ameren’s press release. “For example, replacing a standard T-12 fluorescent light fixture with a high-efficiency T-8 fluorescent fixture can reduce electricity consumption by 33 percent.”

“Our energy efficiency professionals are ready to help our customers take advantage of the ActOnEnergy incentives so they can spend less on energy by using less,” Miller said.

Complete business program information is available at ActOnEnergy.com, by calling (866) 800-0747 or by sending an e-mail to ActOnEnergyBusiness@ameren.com.

ActOnEnergy offers incentives and rebates to residential customers. For more information on residential programs, visit ActOnEnergy.com, call (866) 838-6918 or send an e-mail to: ActOnEnergyResidential@ameren.com.

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. Its mission is to meet energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Its service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com.