ROCHELLE — A community meeting on the Rochelle Energy Action Plan will be held this week as the city prepares for changes in power generation under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which requires coal fired power plants to close or cut emissions by 2045. The event, hosted by the University of Illinois Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation and led by the University of Illinois EnergySense Resilience Center, will take place at 4 p.m. April 9 at the Rochelle Rec Center.
Shawn Maurer, technical director of EnergySense, said the meeting will outline the city’s long term energy strategy and seek public input. “At this event, we are going to discuss the energy action plan we are developing for Rochelle so that residents know what that plan is, and we are inviting them to contribute to it,” Maurer said.
“ The goal of this program is through various different programs through RMU, through the city, and through other agencies, to identify ways to minimize cost increases,” Maurer said.
“Part of that’s gonna involve energy efficiency projects to reduce overall demand, so there’s less need to purchase more generating capacity, and that will reduce costs.”
The meeting is geared toward residents, especially those seeking help with utility bills, and will include information on weatherization programs and other energy saving resources.