Rochelle Council Reviews $150K Energy Grant Project

ROCHELLE — At Monday’s city council meeting, officials reviewed a presentation from Todd Rusk of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center outlining a $150,000 federal grant awarded to Rochelle Municipal Utilities (RMU) through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. The grant will fund a yearlong study to develop an energy action plan for the city, focusing on power purchasing strategies, short- and long-term energy savings, and sustainability efforts. The project includes energy audits, data analysis, stakeholder engagement sessions, including groups representing local industry and underserved populations, and will be managed in partnership with the University of Illinois, pending council approval at the next meeting.