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OSLC Members Attend Naperville City Council Meeting Opposing Coal on January 21

At least a dozen OSLC members attended the Naperville City Council meeting on January 21 in opposition to renewing a 30-year contract with IMEA for using coal to produce electricity for Naperville. They joined more than 300 Naperville residents (most carrying signs saying "Say No to Coal") who opposed renewing a contract five years before the deadline with IMEA, which currently produces 80% of Naperville's electricity through coal processing at a plant in southern Illinois. Eighteen Naperville residents spoke at the meeting, with all but one opposed to the proposed contract renewal. Reasons for opposing the renewal of the contract include the following:

• $1 billion contract: This locks Naperville into a 30-year financial burden without an exit clause.
• No competitive bidding: No other companies have been asked to bid on the purchase.
• No price guarantees: The IMEA contract has no limits on how much they can charge.
• Pollution leader: IMEA's main coal plant is among the 10 dirtiest in the U.S. and the worst greenhouse gas polluter in Illinois, producing 24 billion pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
• Climate crisis: 2024 was the hottest year in human history and held the U.S. record for the most major (>$1 billion in damage) weather disasters.
• The promise of other technologies: Rapid changes favor other "green" technologies that produce less pollution and are more efficient and cost-effective.
• Naperville's leadership position: Other communities in IL currently produce only 15% of their electricity through coal.
• Commitment to environmental justice: We are harming the health of the residents near the coal plant while not experiencing any negative effects ourselves.
• Commitment to Christian values: As Christians, the Bible appoints us to protect and to be good stewards of God’s creation and not harm others.

The Naperville Environment and Sustainability (NEST) Task Force sponsored the event, provided the signs and shared much of the above information. Their goal is to keep Naperville residents informed about the issue and where candidates for Naperville City Council stand before the upcoming Naperville City Council election on April 1

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Questions on Caring for Creation? Please contact Vicar Emily at vicaremily@oursaviours.com or Susan Hanford at sehanford@gmail.com.