Springfield Mayoral Election a Victory for Clean Energy

Illinois' largest public utility will now be overseen by a mayor who pledged to keep renewable energy as part of its energy mix.

Springfield's Democratic Mayor-elect Jim Langfelder deserves credit for talking about clean energy. Some candidates avoided the topic because it's controversial after a wind power contract became more costly than expected. With most local news outlets focused on utility finances and rate increases, Langfelder could have avoided taking a clear position on where our power comes from.

But voters were given a real choice between a modern energy mix with renewable energy or "we've always done it that way." Scare tactics about clean energy causing rate increases didn't work this time. Springfield is already a better clean energy leader than Chicago and now the progress can continue.

Coal was being mined in Springfield when Abraham Lincoln represented the city in the state legislature. But this year, a new clean energy future was a winning issue in a coal-country election.

Hunter Lake is still the dumbest idea in Springfield

I can't believe I still have to write about this. Hunter Lake is the dumbest idea going Springfield. Here's why:

1) There are good reasons why the permits were never approved last time and they still won't be approved after more money is wasted trying again. New dams like this one aren't getting built anymore. Anywhere.

2) Water usage is growing nowhere near the growth estimates CWLP used to demonstrate a supposed need. Water efficiency programs are working. And no, those programs have nothing to do with watering your lawn or washing your car.

3) The biggest water hogs in Springfield are the older coal power plants. They have a limited lifespan. When the two oldest coal boilers shut down then water usage will drop. A LOT. Which means there's zero need for a new Hunter mud flat.

4) Sunk cost fallacy. The fact that a lot of money has already been wasted on a bad idea is not a good reason to waste even more. I learned this in my freshman microeconomics course.

There's no good reason to waste millions more on a project nobody needs. Hunter Lake is nothing but a pork barrel project to make money for those who will finance and build it at taxpayer expense. It serves no other purpose.

Turn the land into a top notch nature area instead so Springfield will finally benefit from getting out of this foolish moneypit. We might even recover some of our losses down the road by selling the land to the Department of Natural Resources.

New $150 clothes washer rebate offered by CWLP!

Good news everyone! There's another rebate program from the Springfield CWLP Energy Services Office. Here's the press release with all the details...

 

CWLP OFFERING HIGH EFFICIENCY CLOTHES WASHER REBATES

Program runs from November 1st through January 31st while funds are available.

 

City Water, Light and Power residential electric and water customers who replace an existing clothes washer with a qualifying, new high-efficiency model will be eligible for a $150 rebate from the utility. Clothes washing accounts for more than 20 percent of the water used inside the average home. Older washers can use as much as 50 gallons of water per load, while today’s most high efficiency models use 50 percent less water and much less energy than their older counterparts. Survey results indicate Springfield residents average 5.5 loads of laundry per week.  

“Water conservation accomplished by use of the most efficient products is the easiest way to achieve savings because the technology does the work for you,” said Tom Skelly, CWLP Water Division Director. “For every washer that is replaced through this program, as much as 25 gallons of water per load could be saved. If that savings can be achieved in even just 100 more households across the city, that’s progress towards preserving water resources.” 

Qualifying clothes washers for the rebate program are labeled by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) as “Tier 3,” the most energy- and water-efficient.

Rebate funds are limited to the first 255 qualified applicants, which must be CWLP electric and water customers for purchases made during the program scheduled to run from Thursday, November 1st to Thursday, January, 31st. Only original rebate forms will be accepted and one rebate per household will be permitted. Rebates will be applied as a credit to the customer’s CWLP bill once the information on the application has been verified. Clothes washers being purchased for placement in a newly constructed home are not eligible for this program.

Rebate applications and program information will be available from CWLP’s Energy Service Office located at 231 S. 6th Street, 2nd floor. Qualifying customers may also contact the Energy Services Office at 789-2070 or nrgxprts@cwlp.com to request that a rebate application and the list of qualifying models be sent by U.S. Post. Information on the rebate program and a list of qualifying models is also available at: www.cwlp.com/energy_services/ESO_services_programs/washer_reb.htm

For more information on CWLP’s Water Conservation programs and rebates, contact CWLP’s Energy Services Office at 789-2070 or nrgxprts@cwlp.com. More information can also be found at www.cwlp.com on the Energy Services tab.

Springfield CWLP customers can get ready for winter and lower utility bills at Smart Solutions workshop

Springfield's public utility is holding another Smart Solutions workshop. The free home efficiency workshop will focus on home winterization tips plus information on how customers can reduce energy and water usage.

The CWLP press release details:

This Smart Solutions workshop will include demonstrations on caulking, weather-stripping doors and applying window kits. Water conservation tips will also be provided, as well as the latest on any current programs and rebates that they can take advantage of to increase payback for efficiency investments. All attendees will receive a free water saver kit as well as a weatherization kit.

In addition, CWLP’s energy experts will be on hand at these workshops to work with customers to analyze specific problems customers are currently experiencing and identify what immediate measures might be implemented to help them save money and reduce usage.

It's Tuesday, October 30, 5:30pm in the Carnegie Room North room of Lincoln Library. It's free but they're asking people to register in advance by calling the Energy Services Office at 789-2070 or email nrgxprts@cwlp.com by October 29th.

If you haven't already, you can also contact the ESO for a home energy audit to get personal recommendations on how to best lower your energy use and utility bills. Excellent energy efficiency programs like this are one of the best benefits of Springfield having a public utility, so take advantage!