Author Archives: Michael

The Town of Normal and City of Bloomington have both entered into a new municipal aggregation contract with Constellation Energy. The contract is for 3 years and begins on July 1, 2022. These contracts offer a fixed electric supply rate of 7.859 cents/kWh (with an option for 8.324 cents/kWh for a renewable energy source option).

Residents with Ameren electric service are automatically enrolled in the 7.859 cents/kWh rate. To opt-in to the renewable energy option, or opt-out of the aggregation contract call 833-358-0518. If you opt-out, you cannot opt back in for 12 months.

The 7.859 cents/kWh rate is higher than the current aggregation contract rate (this contract ends June 30, 2022), and the current Ameren rate (which will increase June 1, 2022). Please read on below for more information on what municipal aggregation is, how it works, the potential benefits, and for information on expected Ameren rate increases slated to begin June 1, 2022.

What is Municipal Electricity Aggregation?

• The Illinois Power Agency Act allows municipalities or counties to negotiate the purchase of of the combined electric supply from an Alternate Retail Energy Supplier (ARES) for residents and small businesses.
• The residents of the Town of Normal voted to approve municipal aggregation in 2012, and the residents of the City of Bloomington followed suit in 2013.
• Only Ameren customers are eligible for municipal aggregation. Members of Corn Belt Energy Cooperative are excluded.
• Electric aggregation allows the Town and the City to secure bulk pricing through a bidding process, and provide rate stability through the designated contract period (typically 2 or 3 years).

How does electric aggregation work on my bill?

• Through the electric aggregation process, the City and the Town secure a new electricity supplier for Ameren customers. Electricity delivery remains with Ameren and your monthly electric bill will still come from Ameren.
• Residents can also opt into a “green” option (see explanation of renewable energy sources below) at slightly higher rate.
• All Ameren customers in Bloomington and Normal are automatically enrolled in aggregation and must opt out if they want their supply service to remain with Ameren or if they have an individual contract with a different ARES.

What are the potential benefits to participating in municipal aggregation?

• Secure rates. Ameren rates are subject to change twice a year. They send their rate proposals to the Illinois Commerce Commission for approval. Locking in a known rate through the municipal aggregation program can help reduce the risk of fluctuating and unknown rates.
• Potential lower rates: The current Ameren price to compare (which is the combination of the Ameren Electric Supply and Transmission charge) through May 2022 is 5.478 cents per kWh. Ameren submitted new rate documents to the Illinois Commerce Commission on April 22, 2022. The new price to compare beginning June 1, 2022 will be 9.46 cents/kWh, and will increase to 11.5 cents/kWh from October 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023.
• Energy from 100% renewable sources. This does not mean the actual electricity you consume comes directly from a renewable energy source like wind or solar. The grid is constantly being fed by a variety of energy sources from nuclear to solar to coal. Plans that offer renewable sources mean that the energy supplier (in this case Constellation Energy) is buying renewable energy credits (RECs) on your behalf. The RECs represent clean energy that is being added to the power grid somewhere.
• Reduces hassle. Illinois’ deregulated energy market allows residents to purchase energy from other suppliers and other forms of reduced energy rates on their own, but this can be time-consuming and stressful, and risk potential scams.

Why are Ameren rates increasing?

• Ameren rates are increasing significantly for a variety of reasons. Ameren is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which is one of many independent organizations that handle electric grid operations, market facilitation for certain electric markets, and bulk electric system planning. MISO is responsible for operating the power grid across 15 U.S. states including most of Illinois (excluding the Chicago area). As part of MISO, Ameren is required to purchase energy capacity at the price MISO sets. The annual MISO capacity auction surged to $236.66 per megawatt-day from $5 a year ago for the Midwest region. MISO generating capacity was underestimated last year, and now costs are rising as a result of increased electricity demand as pandemic restrictions ease combined with a decrease in generation (renewable energy development is increasing, but is only partially weighted in the capacity market, and more coal-fired plants are going offline), and other market influences including inflation and the war in Ukraine. The rise in Ameren rates represents the increased wholesale price of electricity.

Other considerations:

• You can cancel your aggregation participation anytime without penalty. Just contact Constellation at 833-358-0518. This means that if at any time Ameren’s rates appear lower than the pricing offered through aggregation (keep in mind Ameren’s rates can change every 6 months, and go back up at any time) you can cancel your participation. If you opt out you ca
• If you have a solar installation (roof or ground mount), Illinois law requires ARES to provide net metering to customers.
• If you have a community solar subscription, you can still participate in aggregation. However, it is important to remember that the 20% discount on your energy supply that most community solar subscriptions offer is a 20% discount on the Ameren rate, not a rate from an ARES.

What can I do about rising energy costs?

• Remember, the cheapest kilowatt-hour is the one you never use! Energy efficiency is a great way to save money on your utility bills, and the utility companies offer a variety of rebates and incentives for efficiency upgrades. Contact the Ecology Action Center to schedule a home energy assessment and let us help you find easy ways to save money by reducing your energy needs and consumption! Learn more at BNenergyBright.org or by calling 309-454-3169 x.15 or email [email protected]
• The EAC is also a great resource for information on renewable energy options. If you are interested in pursuing solar, we can help you get started!
• The EAC is a grassroots educator for the Illinois Solar for All program, which is state program designed to increase access to solar for income-qualifying (80% Area Median Income) residents and non-profits and public facilities that serve income-qualifying residents.

Who is the Ecology Action Center?

• The Ecology Action Center is the nonprofit environmental sustainability agency for Bloomington, Normal, and McLean County.
• The EAC provides a broad array of educational programs and services related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, air quality, waste reduction and recycling, clean water protection, climate change, and much more.
• Learn more at ecologyactioncenter.org.

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Contact:   Michael Brown, (309) 454-3169 x.11

In 2021, with the help of hundreds of donors and volunteers and multiple partner organizations, the Ecology Action Center (EAC) successfully led the planting of 10,000 new trees in McLean County under a new initiative called the Tree Corps.  But that was just year one of a planned 10+ year effort; 2022 brings a new Tree Corps campaign–Putting Down Roots!

“Trees are the answer,” says EAC Executive Director Michael Brown.  “Air quality improvement for public health.  Carbon sequestration to reduce the impacts of climate change.  Watershed protection.  Increased habitat and food sources for native pollinators and other native wildlife.  Increased shade for cooling of urban areas with a lot of pavement.  Trees do it all.”

The Ecology Action Center is seeking donations and sponsorships to make this large-scale tree effort happen.  “No donation is too small or too large,” says Brown, “whether you are covering the cost of one tree by donating $5 or 200 trees by donating $1000, it all makes a difference.”  Donations are currently being accepted at the EAC’s Tree Corps webpages at https://Tree-Corps.org.

The EAC invites groups to work together towards a collective fundraising goal by forming a “Tree Team” with friends, coworkers, family, or other groups.  Setting a larger goal of $500 or $1000 for more trees is much easier to achieve as group and the EAC’s website makes Tree Team collaboration easy.  Full details on Tree Teams is available at https://Tree-Corps.org.

Tree Teams or individuals are also needed to help with planting workdays to get the trees in the ground this spring.  The first planting workdays are scheduled for April 9 and 10 at Heartland Community College.  Full details and volunteer signup can be found at https://Tree-Corps.org.

The 2022 Tree Corps Putting Down Roots Campaign is a partnership between the Ecology Action Center, Heartland Community College, Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, Sugar Grove Nature Center, ParkLands Foundation, and the Friends of Constitution Trail.

The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment.  The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.

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The Ecology Action Center is seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant. This position has responsibilities including financial, clerical, publications management, and correspondence. Position is contingent upon program funding and is considered a short to long-term temporary placement.  This position is both on-site and in-person at the Ecology Action Center offices at 202 W College Avenue in Normal, Illinois.

Major Responsibilities

• Manages documentation for all incoming/outgoing financial transactions
• Prepares correspondence and manages filing
• Manages print and electronic communications including newsletters, board reports, etc.
• Manages merchandise sales/distribution and customer service
• Planning and scheduling of meetings
• Assists with communications on behalf of Executive Director

Specific duties

• Issue invoices to customers
• Download bank statements monthly in a timely fashion for reconciliation prior to board meetings
• Board meeting packet preparation
• Maintain the petty cash fund
• Assemble information for external auditors for the annual audit
• Maintain an orderly accounting filing system
• Provide clerical and administrative support to management as requested
• Track donations, event sponsorships, and other contributions and provide donation acknowledgement correspondence with appropriate IRS approved wording for tax-deductions
• Manage marketing plans with media outlets
• Manage office supplies
• Coordinate content for regular newsletters and other print and web publications; design, edit, and publish final materials
• Help staff the office, assist visitors
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate’s degree or equivalent business experience, as well as a knowledge of bookkeeping and generally accepted accounting principles. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must have be experienced with QuickBooks accounting software and Microsoft Office.
• Strong communication skills required, both written and verbal
• Experience and high degree of comfort with web and computer technologies–spreadsheets, WordPress, databases, CRM, Adobe design software
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds on occasion

Equal Opportunity

The EAC is an equal opportunity employer for all qualified employees and applicants. All decisions regarding employment are made without regard for race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or physical and/or mental disability unrelated to ability.

Ecology Action Center

The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.

How to Apply

The position is open until filled but applicants should submit their application materials by Monday, February 28, 2022 for first round consideration.  Please apply via Indeed.com.

The Ecology Action Center presents the annual McLean County Green Awards to recognize local efforts to improve our environment.  Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 awards, with recipients being named at an online event on February 9, 2022.

The McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award identifies businesses, schools or organizations with outstanding recycling programs or waste reduction efforts or individuals who have played a role in a successful program or effort. While nominations will be accepted for any recycling or waste reduction project, areas of growing interest include source reduction efforts, especially alternatives to single use items (plastic or paper grocery bags, etc.).

The Anne McGowan Making a World of Difference Award recognizes outstanding projects, activities, or individuals in McLean County who promote environmental awareness or natural resource conservation. The EAC dedicated the World of Difference Award in memory of McGowan, an early director of the EAC, due to her ability to inspire and motivate others to take action.  Former EAC Executive Director Michelle Covi described Anne as a catalyst for action.

She was energetic and never hesitated to get her hands dirty. Her natural curiosity and love of the natural world fueled her passion for wildlife exploration and preservation. She shared her love with children and adults alike when she conducted nature walks, wildflower walks, and nature programs. She inspired and nurtured life-long dedication to environmental awareness and conservation in children, college students, and adults whose lives she touched.

In the spirit of Anne, the EAC seeks nominations of worthy projects, organizations, or individuals in nomination for the Anne McGowan Making World of Difference Award or the McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award. Current EAC Executive Director Michael Brown suggested, “if more of us followed the outstanding example set by Anne McGowan, the world would be a much better place.”

Nominations may be made online at ecologyactioncenter.org/green-awards/ or by stopping by the Ecology Action Center at 202 W College Avenue in Normal; all submissions are due by Monday, January 3, 2022 at 5 p.m.

 The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment.  The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.

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What is community solar?

Who is eligible?

Interested in signing up?

For many Bloomington-Normal residents, leaf-raking efforts are already underway. While raking leaves isn’t rocket science, some leaf-raking practices can be harmful. Raking leaves into the street clogs storm drains, causing street flooding; if they don’t clog but rather wash down into the storm drains they become a storm water pollutant. The additional nutrients from the massive amounts of leaves decomposing in creeks, streams, or lakes removes oxygen from the water, suffocating plants and wildlife, and causing algae blooms that can result in bad odors and unpleasant tastes in drinking water.

The Ecology Action Center urges residents to help keep our local waters clean by using by using the following leaf management practices:

• Let leaves lie! Leaving your leaves where they fall is beneficial for your lawn; many residents choose to use a mower to break them into smaller pieces. Leaves are decomposed by earthworms and other microorganisms and turned into plant-usable organic matter. Leaves also make great mulch to protect flower beds from harsh winter weather.
• Compost your leaves! Leaves are a great source of nitrogen and an important dry component to a healthy compost pile. Start a compost pile and reduce your waste, keep waterways clean, and generate free fertilizer for your lawn and garden. Find helpful instructions to start your compost pile at CompostBN.org.
• Don’t break the cycle! The above two options keep your organic material on-site, rejuvenating your soil with valuable nutrients just like the nutrient cycle occurring in nature. Removing your leaves each year can gradually deplete your soil, leaving your lawn, your trees, and your garden hungry for nutrients. As well, keep these materials on-site helps reduce demand for collection by Public Works crews, conserving financial resources for other municipal services.
• Curb your leaves! If you do choose to rake your leaves for curbside pick up, the municipalities require that you rake them to the curb, but NOT into the street.

Information on protecting our local watersheds is available at mCLEANwater.org, a clearinghouse of local resources about our water and efforts to protect it.

The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.

Explosive. Corrosive. Flammable. Toxic.

A comprehensive description of 2020? No. Well, maybe. But these terms do capture another topic of imminent concern: Household Hazardous Waste. Household hazardous wastes are substances that can harm human health or the environment.

This year McLean County residents have been carving out space for home offices and homeschooling. As residents have been cleaning out garages, sheds and basements, the Ecology Action Center has received a great many inquiries about proper HHW disposal practices, drop-off sites, and collection events. We know that getting hazardous household waste items out of your way has been a priority, and we’re glad to hear from so many members of our community acting on that personal responsibility to protect the environment by disposing of items with warning labels. What can you do to safely and lawfully dispose of cleaners, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, oil-based paints, antifreeze, pesticides, and similar hazardous household products? Here are your options:

Community Reuse

The fastest, easiest, and most environmentally sound way to get these items out of your way is to donate them to someone who will use them. Online platforms like Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor.com offer convenient, safe venues where community members can offer or seek items for reuse. If you’ve hesitated or shied away from these online platforms because you’re not sure how to use them, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to help you get started: https://ecologyactioncenter.org/guide-to-community-reuse/

Recycling

Some hazardous items can be recycled, or materials reclaimed. Automotive fluids such as oil, antifreeze, diesel and gasoline can be reclaimed through local drop-offs. Automotive batteries and used tires can also be reclaimed, and are accepted by some local retailers. Visit RecycleBN.org or download the Recycle Coach app for up-to-date listings, hours and contact information.

HHW Collection Events and Collection Sites

These events/locations do not accept:

• Latex paint – because it’s not hazardous. If unable to find someone who can use it, dry it out completely and discard with trash.
• Smoke detectors – due to radioactive content, these should be routed back to the manufacturer.
• Needles or controlled substances – use proper sharps containers/services to dispose of needles. There are several pharmaceutical drop-off locations in the area – see RecycleBN.org for more information. Call ahead to verify hours and procedures, and please note that these sites generally do not take liquids, lotions, ointments, or inhalers.
• Automotive batteries – see Recycle Coach for local reclamation options.
• Propane tanks, fire extinguishers, or explosives – check with manufacturers for disposal options
• Non-residential items such as agricultural chemicals and business wastes – contact a commercial disposal service such as Safety-Kleen

Locally Funded Collection Events

At the last McLean County HHW Collection in the fall of 2019, our new drive-through appointment system worked wonders to increase efficiency. The average time on site for a drop-off was under 20 minutes, and some residents were in and out in as little as 7 minutes! Fundraising is now underway for the fall 2021 McLean County HHW collection event. We need your help to make this happen! Please donate today at HHWmclean.org.

State-Funded Collection Events

The Illinois EPA is increasing the number of one-day HHW collection events and hopefully will soon fund another McLean County event.  Meanwhile, there are other events within a reasonable drive; as these are state-funded, they are open to any Illinois resident bringing residentially-generated hazardous waste items.

October 10, 2020
Iroquois County Administration Building
1001 E. Grant St.
Watseka, IL 60970

November 7, 2020 **
Illinois State Fair Grounds (specific location TBD)
801 E. Sangamon Ave
Springfield, IL 62702
** This event requires registration in advance.  Register at www.springfield.il.us/hhw

HHW Permanent Collection Sites

The State of Illinois provides four household hazardous waste drop-off facilities. Though they are not conveniently located for central Illinois residents, they do provide an outlet when other options simply won’t work for you. Just like the HHW collection events, these facilities accept residential waste only. In some cases storage capacity may be limited, so please phone ahead before dropping off items.

City of Chicago – Goose Island
(312) 744-7672
1150 N. North Branch / Chicago, IL
Tue 7:00 am – 12:00 pm
Thu 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
1st Saturday of every month 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Naperville
(630) 420-6095
156 Fort Hill Drive / Naperville, IL
Sun 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Rock River Reclamation District
(815) 987-5570
3333 Kishwaukee Street / Rockford, IL
By appointment only

Solid Waste Agency of Lake County
(847) 336-9340
1311 N. Estes St, Gurnee, IL 60031
By appointment only

The Ecology Action Center is always available to answer questions, provide community education, offer alternative options when possible, in order to help ensure these substances are handled properly so they don’t end up in our regional landfills or waterways. We continue to monitor policy and new developments surrounding safe disposal of HHW. We are working very hard to meet the needs of McLean County residents, and are optimistic about our prospects for more convenient options in the near future.  Your help and financial support can help make that happen.

You can help!

•  Reduce – purchase only as much hazardous substance as you need
• Route usable materials for community reuse
• Recycle when possible
• Take unusable portions of non-recyclable hazardous products to a collection event or site
• Donate today at HHWmclean.org to support our next local HHW collection event, anticipated for fall 2021 OR to help support a future local permanent HHW collection facility.