Smart Energy Solutions Could Be Model for Other Cities, Utilities

Springfield, IL – Sierra Club and the City of Springfield have finalized a ground-breaking plan to replace an old coal-fired power plant with a cleaner facility coupled with an ambitious energy efficiency program and a monumental investment in wind power.  The agreement also represents the first enforceable agreement in the nation by any city or utility to significantly reduce its global warming pollution.

"This deal is a huge step forward for smart energy solutions and a first in the effort to curb global warming," said Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. "Not only do Springfield residents benefit from cleaner air and water and new ways to save money on their energy bills, but other communities can use this agreement as a model for their own energy and global warming strategies," added Pope.

City Water Light and Power, a utility owned by the City of Springfield, currently operates two coal-fired power plants. As a part of this agreement, the City has agreed to close its oldest and dirtiest Lakeside coal-fired power plant and replace it with a new coal plant subject to the most stringent soot, smog, and mercury pollution limits in the nation.

The part of the agreement that is most likely to turn heads around the country, however, are the measures addressing global warming – the most ambitious in the nation for a utility. The plan calls for the City to cut its global warming pollution by 25 percent below its 2005 levels by 2012, the equivalent of removing 103,000 automobiles off of our highways. Towards that end, Springfield plans tap into wind power and providing investments in new infrastructure that will double the wind energy capacity of Illinois.  

The State of Illinois is an important partner in this agreement because it agreed to purchase the majority of its electricity needs in the state capital from wind power.

"Governor Blagojevich's commitment to power our state capitol with wind energy is a critical component of the plan, and a shining example to other states and local governments how they can help confront the challenge of global warming," said Verena Owen, Clean Air Chair of the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club

As part of the plan, Springfield will also conduct a comprehensive energy efficiency audit and invest $4 million over the next decade – a tenfold increase – in efficiency programs and incentives for ratepayers. The agreement also formalizes a role for local citizens to help the City direct investments in additional conservation and energy efficiency measures, including a special program targeted to help low-income and elderly residents. 

“Energy efficiency and conservation are the cleanest, cheapest and smartest ways for our community to meet its energy needs in the 21st Century," said Roger Ricketts, a Springfield resident and local Sierra Club leader. "We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to help the City save energy and money."

Overall, the landmark energy agreement would do the following:

• Replace the City’s Lakeside coal plant, one of the dirtiest coal plants in the nation, with the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the nation – the new plant will emit 99 percent less sulfur dioxide than the existing power plant
• Cut mercury emissions from its existing and new coal plants by 90 percent by 2009 (the most stringent requirement in the nation)
• Cut overall sulfur dioxide emissions from its existing and new coal plants by 75 percent by 2012 (the lowest SO2 pollution limit in the Midwest)
• Meet the goals of the Kyoto Protocol by cutting the City’s global warming pollution by 25 percent (600,000 tons annually) below its 2005 levels by 2012, the most stringent global warming reduction commitment by any utility in the U.S.  It's the equivalent of removing 103,000 automobiles off of our highways
• Double Illinois’ installed wind capacity by adding a record 120 megawatt of new wind turbines – this includes 60 MW to power the State’s Springfield office buildings, including the State Capitol -- this represents one of the largest investments by any state in clean energy
• Boost the City’s investment in energy efficiency funding ten-fold to a record $4 million over the next decade
• Establish an internship program for college students to work on clean energy projects