Aug. 29, 2007: Meeting Today on Power Plants

Environmental advocates gather to express concerns over the pollution of a power plant in southern Illinois.

Naperville Sun
Meeting Today on Power Plants
By Kate R. Houlihan
Aug. 29, 2007
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/532913%2Cna29_powe...

Concerns over a power plant being constructed in downstate Illinois are bringing a group of environmental advocates to Naperville today for a community meeting on the topic.

The Prairie State Energy campus, in the beginning throes of being constructed near Lively Grove in Washington County, is connected to Naperville through the city’s choice to join up with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.

The IMEA has a stake in a portion of the plant. The city joined the IMEA in January, which is comprised of about 30 other municipalities. The long-term contract with the agency begins in 2011, when Naperville’s current wholesale power agreement with J. Aron/Goldman Sachs ends. The city’s contract with the IMEA runs until 2035, and the construction of the Prairie State Energy campus is something Director of Public Utilities Allan Poole says could likely keep the lights on in Naperville at little to no cost increases to consumers.