PUBLIC UTILITIES ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive the report and provide direction on the City's Electric Renewable Energy Program Options
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Curran/Lucy Hynes
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
PUAB recommendation of the five options for consideration by Council
BACKGROUND:
In 2004, the Naperville City Council approved the Naperville Renewable Energy Program enabling utility customers (both residential and businesses) to make voluntarily monthly payments through their electric bill to support the City's investment in renewable energy. With a 5.53% participation rate in the program it is among the top 10 green power community programs in the United States according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The renewable energy for the program is sourced 100% from Illinois-sited renewable energy facilities (99% wind, 1% solar). The program also provides grants to directly fund local community-based renewable energy projects for all commercial customers who invest in solar, wind, biomass, and fuel cell technologies projects. The goals of the program are to create opportunities for our community to learn about renewable solutions, support grant projects that measurably increase renewable energy usage and displace fossil fuels, and have projects that can be replicated. Awards include a $50,000 maximum rebate (up to 50% of the applicant's total cost of the energy improvements and the city rebate award amount and grants from all other sources shall not exceed the total project cost). The program will also support the 50kW unit that will be installed on the Municipal Center roof.
The Renewable Energy Grant Program announcement and link to applications are posted on the City's website and communicated to customers via press releases and social media. Since 2014 the city has approved $471,500 grant dollars in support of 790 kW of solar installation and one geothermal installations (saving 3...
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