PEORIA, Ill. – Your water in Peoria is being sent to you using some more “green energy.”
Illinois American Water Thursday cut a ribbon on what they call a 2.3 megawatt “large-scale solar energy system” located along Galena Road — that will essentially power parts of the water system not already powered by solar power.
“By reducing energy consumption and emissions, we use water more efficiently, and we help to protect the environment and reduce costs to our customers,” said Karen Cotton, Illinois American Water spokesperson. “So, this is really a celebration today because of all those factors.”
Cotton says a similar solar field was just put in to operation for the Champaign area of their territory.
But, will the move help your water bill at some point?
“Illinois American Water is a regulated water utility,” said Cotton. “Our rates are set by the Illinois Commerce Commission, and our regulating body. So, when we say ‘operating and maintenance costs’ (in a rate request to the I.C.C.), that is included.”
The utility has asked for a rate increase that could add $6 to $14 a month to your water bill next year — the first rate increase in five years, they claim — but included in that reasoning is more than $1.1 billion of infrastructure work done, just like this.
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