Batavian unhappy with energy deal

Batavian unhappy with energy deal

Our family was thrilled to move to a town as quaint as Batavia less than 1 year ago. We knew that as Batavia residents our ComEd days would be over, but no love was lost at the time - after all, can you name a ComEd customer who "likes" ComEd's unpredictable responses to power outages and rates that steadily creep northward?

Well, dealing with ComEd was a walk in the park compared to what we are experiencing as a result of Batavia's highly questionable 30-year deal with Prairie State Energy. Batavia's sky-high electric bills make ComEd's bills look like a bargain.

Our so-called "City of Energy" should be renamed to "City of Secrecy" because most of the documents involved in the negotiation and design of the coal-fired plant that supplies our electrical power are hidden from public view. It will take an investigation by the state Attorney General to bring this information to light.

Selling, buying, and moving is an expensive and arduous process. We were hoping our next move would not occur for decades. Our family was drawn to Batavia because of the school system's fine reputation and the city's natural amenities. But if businesses and residents begin to flee Batavia in search of lower electric rates, our school system and our children surely will pay the price. The thought of having to move again because of a possibly fraudulent deal signed back in 2007 is disturbing beyond belief.

I urge the Batavia City Council to request an attorney general investigation into the Peabody Energy contract.

Brenda Moss Feinberg

Batavia