Forum on Oct. 22 will inform Winnetkans of energy status and options

While Winnetka’s Village Council looks at how and where to buy the village’s electric power over the next three decades, residents can learn more about the issue at public forum Tuesday, Oct. 22, set to take place at 7 p.m. at the Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine St. 

The Winnetka Future Energy Forum will educate people about the village’s current purchasing status as a member of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency and inform them about that agency’s request that Winnetka extend its existing contract until 2055, said King Poor, a member of the Winnetka Future Energy Coalition. 

Poor said earlier this month that the forum will allow attendees to hear from speakers representing all sides of the power-purchasing question. 

“We think this is about public education on an issue that can affect the village,” he said. “We felt it was important for everyone to hear from a variety of opinions.”

In the summer of this year, some village residents formed the Winnetka Future Energy Coalition as a way to raise public awareness about the issue, he said. The group’s forum co-sponsors include the League of Women Voters of Winnetka-Northfield-Kenilworth, the Winnetka Congregational Church and Go Green Winnetka.

“This forum is a good time for us to pause and understand what other opportunities may be available for our village to use cleaner and cheaper energy,” said Marcus Wedner, another member of the Winnetka Future Energy Coalition.

Although most Illinois communities buy their power from ComEd, Winnetka is a member of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, a nonprofit consortium of 32 municipalities that provides power to members who operate their own electric utility distribution systems. It has been a member since 1984, and its current contract runs until Sept. 30, 2035, according to information on the village’s website.

How Winnetka chooses to buy wholesale electric power, and from where, took on added importance last May when IMEA officials asked the village for the contract extension. 

Since 2007, Winnetka has participated in an IMEA project to get energy from what was expected at the time to be a new coal-powered plant in southern Illinois. That plant was to be part of the Prairie State Energy Campus; however, its construction costs, which are borne by IMEA members, ended up far more expensive than expected. It has been listed by Environment America as one of the 10 most polluting power plants in the country. 

In late August, a federal judge allowed a suit by the Sierra Club against Prairie State to proceed, ruling the plant lacks enforceable air permits for its operation, which are a requirement under the Clean Air Act. 

IMEA’s May request included its expectation of moving its power portfolio away from carbon burning sources to clean energy, and its need for time to do that. It gave Winnetka and other suburban Chicago IMEA communities until April of next year to decide whether to extend their contracts. 

In July, Village President Chris Rintz agreed with the concept of public education about the issue. During the council’s regular monthly study session, he suggested a potential joint public meeting between the council and members of its Environmental and Forestry Commission, or a public forum. Rintz also said that the April deadline gives Winnetka ample time to review its options before making a final decision. 

“The village of Winnetka is not in love with coal. We are in love with being prudent stewards of our tax dollars and other dollars,” Rintz said at the time.

For more information on the forum, visit the League of Women Voters Winnetka-Northfield-Kenilworth, Go Green Winnetka or the Winnetka Future Energy Coalition.

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