McBroom’s arguments for new IMEA contract ‘ring hollow’
I was disappointed to read Naperville City Councilman Josh McBroom’s June 22 opinion column in the Naperville Sun.
Naperville voters should ask the councilman why he wants to sign a $2 billion contract without getting any bids from other companies. Naperville has received one offer from one organization, and he’s ready to lock Naperville ratepayers into a contract that extends 30 years into the future. The consultants he references predict Naperville electricity costs will triple over the course of the contract. The council has collected zero information from companies other than our current provider, IMEA.
Naperville ratepayers deserve better.
The councilman has reviewed the analysis, which shows that IMEA’s current contract with Naperville was hundreds of millions of dollars more expensive than the wholesale market, due in part to billions of dollars in cost overruns.
The councilman’s “cost of delay” warnings ring hollow on a contract that doesn’t expire until 2035, and when the experts he references said they’ve never seen a contract signed this far before the current contract expires.
Equally hollow are the claims that his proposal is low risk. Each consultant warned that the electricity market is changing because of new technology and legislation, but Councilman McBroom advocates signing a contract with no ability to exit until 2055. The lack of any flexibility puts ratepayers at the highest risk.
As if the proposal couldn’t be worse, it sends a good portion of our money to a coal plant in Kentucky for three more decades. Please consider options that improve our economy by keeping those dollars and jobs in our state. The contract he wants to sign does nothing to keep IMEA from sending even more jobs out of state.
He mentions bonds will be paid off soon but it’s naive to think that IMEA will not issue new bonds as soon as we sign because their largest plant will shut down about half of its capacity three years into the contract and at least 50% of IMEA’s current generation will be decommissioned 10 years before the end of the contract.
On June 3, the councilman and all other members voted unanimously for a “series of workshops on the long-term energy options.” We expect the councilman to stand by his vote and rigorously evaluate different options, rather than shortcutting the process and short-changing residents.
Joe Hus, Naperville
What does democracy mean and how do we protect it?
Parades, speeches, picnics, time with our families and fireworks are events commonly associated with the Fourth of July. But this year, when challenges to our government’s checks and balances established by our founders are being reported almost daily, we invited our members to reflect on the meaning of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the United States government. Here are a few of the heartfelt responses to two questions.
What does democracy mean to you?
- Democracy is a communal contract to uphold the laws and rules that allow all of us to live together peacefully, without fear.
- A country where all people who meet the legal requirements vote and participate in electing the government.
- No fear to live my best life. I will have no fear of expressing my thoughts. I will have no fear of unjust suppression.
- A government that works for ALL the people, not just for a privileged few.
- Democracy is an ideal that actually works in the real world if we let it … a political system where the people, not tyrants or oligarchs, collectively determine a country’s future. It is vulnerable but hardy — and our very best chance of continuing to work for a more just, prosperous and free society.
More Top Picks Smart Thermostats
How can we protect our democracy?
- Listen to others and work together for the common good.
- Ensure no laws are passed to prohibit certain groups from voting.
- The people … must make their voices heard and make it clear that they will only support leaders and representatives who work for the interests of the people, and not for themselves.
- Protect legal equality, individual freedom and the rule of law.
- Be a strong voice supporting the rights of all who live within our walls. VOTE! What divides us red and blue can certainly bring us together as purple to build a sound future for all our children.
As you celebrate with your family and friends this Fourth of July, we hope you will take a moment to celebrate the importance of our democracy and the value of our Constitution and reflect on what you can do to defend our democracy.
Julie Niles, League of Women Voters of Naperville
Becky Glimco, American Association of University Women Naperville Area
Jill Lexier, National Council of Jewish Women Chicago North Shore
Laura Welch, Will County National Organization for Women
Share your views
Submit letters to the editor via email to [email protected]. Please include your name, address and town of residence for publication. We also need your phone number and email address for confirmation. Letters should be no more than 400 words.