Approximately 1,000 Waukegan residents will likely pay nearly $400 a year less for electricity, and the city’s taxpayers who live within the boundaries of Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 may benefit as well, as the solar farm at the Yeoman Creek landfill becomes active.
A former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site, the 40-acre parcel — roughly bounded by Lewis, Sunset, Western and Glen Flora avenues — was useless to the district for nearly 60 years. Now, it contains 20,000 solar panels to be connected to Commonwealth Edison’s grid.
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Ryan Libby, the director of subscriber acquisitions for solar farm operator PowerMarket, said work on the project is complete and is awaiting connection to ComEd’s power grid. The company takes energy from the farm and reduces the subscriber’s bill appropriately.
“The goal is to be fully operational by the end of the year,” Libby said. “This is exclusively for Waukegan residents due to the city’s status as an environmental justice community and the high percentage of low- to moderate-income families.”
PowerMarket completed the Yeoman Creek Community Solar Farm on Friday in Waukegan and continues to work with District 60 and others to register approximately 1,000 subscribers who will save an estimated $391 annually on their electric bills.
Libby said the savings come from a 50% discount on the power generated from the farm. The reduction is an estimate, and can be more or less depending on the amount of electricity used.
Along with the individual subscribers, Libby said plans also call for an “anchor tenant” to contract to use 40% of the power generated. Negotiations are ongoing for the major subscriber, but are not final yet.
“As of right now, I’m still waiting for the paperwork for the anchor agreement to come together,” he said. “The school (district) has expressed interest in enrolling some of its facilities as the anchor.”
Nick Alatzakis, District 60’s communications director, said the proposal is under review.
Should the school district become the anchor tenant, like the individual subscribers, it will receive a 50% discount on its ComEd bill for the power used. A reduction in school district expenses would mean a break for property taxpayers.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said in an email that converting a one-time Superfund site and landfill into a productive use does more than create clean, renewable energy. The benefits go to low- and moderate-income families who need it most.
“It’s an investment in our people,” Cunningham said. “Together, we are turning yesterday’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities, rebuilding a stronger, more sustainable future for our residents.”
District 60 Board of Education President Michael Rodriguez echoed Cunningham’s comments. He sees both an immediate benefit and one that could last a long time. It helps the people who need it most.
“We took a property which had been a landfill for the city for a long time and turned it into something to benefit our city for years to come,” Rodriguez said.
So far, about 600 people have applied to subscribe. Libby said some applications are approved and others are in the review process. The school district is actively promoting the opportunity on its website, through texts and on social media, with approximately 1,000 openings available overall.
“We’re excited about this initiative because it helps households save on electricity bills while transforming district-owned land into a source of clean energy that benefits the entire community,” Alatzakis said.
If applicants live in a U.S. Census Tract — 68% of Waukegan residents do — where the majority of residents are considered low- to moderate-income, Libby said they merely need to provide a copy of a recent ComEd bill. The other 32% must show they are in the low- or moderate-income category.
To qualify, Libby said an individual must earn less than $67,150 annually, a couple can earn up to $76,750 and a family of four qualifies if total earnings are less than $95,900. Individuals can apply online or by phone. The application process is bilingual, in English and Spanish.