Solar Energy

The Ecology Action Center in Normal urges Bloomington-Normal residents to stay in the municipal electric aggregation program even with hefty rate increases coming this summer.

The Bloomington City Council on Monday approved plans to annex land on Washington Street to allow construction of a community-scale solar energy project. Members also waived the formal bidding process for a resurfacing and pavement preservation program to update streets and sidewalks.

The McLean County Board unanimously approved the new installation to the east of Bloomington-Normal. Landowners supported the plan they say will diversify the use of their farmland.

A manufacturer in the southwest suburbs of Chicago received $2.6 million from electric utility Commonwealth Edison this week as part of a state program for generating its own electricity using solar panels and storing it in one of the largest batteries in the country.

Efforts are ramping up at the state and federal levels to create more green energy infrastructure. There’s a lot in the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois to stimulate creation of infrastructure, and advocates are increasingly trying to get public buy-in of what will change the landscape — sometimes literally.

A lot of attention has gone to state and federal policy initiatives to address climate change, but some measures need to happen at the local level, including so-called "smart surfaces" that could become a larger part of the look of the Town of Normal.

Most solar panel projects in Normal have been roof mounted so far but there is potential for more ground mounted units like the one the council approved this week for Grace Church on Hovey Avenue.

The Normal Town Council has awarded Bloomington-based Garneau Construction a nearly $145,000 contract to handle specialized masonry and other repair tasks at the Broadview Mansion bell tower.

Olympia middle school and high school students have returned to the classroom, weeks after their school in western McLean County was heavily damaged by fire.

The money will help more than 60 Illinois farmers and businesses install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.