Proponents Hope To Attract New Businesses
JOLIET – The Will County Board voted this week in favor of green energy by increasing the amount of renewable electricity they purchase to 50 percent. The county currently purchases 12 percent of their energy from renewable sources. Twelve percent is the minimum level set by the Illinois General Assembly.
“Will County has been a leader in going green for years,” said County Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). “From the green roof on the county building to our LEED certified courthouse to the recycling of methane gas at our landfill, we’ve always looked for innovative ways to be more environmentally friendly.”
Moustis also said that the county is looking into generating solar power for county-owned buildings including the installation of solar panels at the new courthouse in Joliet. This will help the county become more self-sufficient, he said.
Some board members also hope that going green will also attract more businesses that are environmentally conscientious.
“If we want to attract new companies, we have to be forward thinking at the county level,” said County Board Member Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen). “Renewable energy is important to all of the new and innovative companies in the country. Will County can also set the example for existing businesses that want to modernize their energy consumption. Being a green leader will be attractive to new companies.”
The county will purchase their energy through Constellation Energy which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon Corporation which operates nuclear power plants in Will County. The county received bids from competing electricity providers and Constellation came in as the lowest responsible bidder. Constellation and the county will enter a three year agreement which will lock in the electricity rate beginning in July of 2018. The three year contract is expected to save the county money on electricity bills.
“It’s important for the county to look forward on these kinds of issues,” said Minority Leader Herb Brooks (D-Joliet). “Being more environmentally friendly is good for the health of our constituents and we hope it will be good for business.”
Some County Board Members were quick to remind their colleagues that nuclear energy has long played a role in Will County, employing many residents at the Braidwood Plant and that traditional power supplies are still important providing jobs and economic stimulation to the region.
Moustis also said that the county is looking into generating solar power for county-owned buildings including the installation of solar panels at the new courthouse in Joliet. This will help the county become more self-sufficient, he said.
Some board members also hope that going green will also attract more businesses that are environmentally conscientious.
“If we want to attract new companies, we have to be forward thinking at the county level,” said County Board Member Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen). “Renewable energy is important to all of the new and innovative companies in the country. Will County can also set the example for existing businesses that want to modernize their energy consumption. Being a green leader will be attractive to new companies.”
The county will purchase their energy through Constellation Energy which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon Corporation which operates nuclear power plants in Will County. The county received bids from competing electricity providers and Constellation came in as the lowest responsible bidder. Constellation and the county will enter a three year agreement which will lock in the electricity rate beginning in July of 2018. The three year contract is expected to save the county money on electricity bills.
“It’s important for the county to look forward on these kinds of issues,” said Minority Leader Herb Brooks (D-Joliet). “Being more environmentally friendly is good for the health of our constituents and we hope it will be good for business.”
Some County Board Members were quick to remind their colleagues that nuclear energy has long played a role in Will County, employing many residents at the Braidwood Plant and that traditional power supplies are still important providing jobs and economic stimulation to the region.
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