Streamwood pushing conservation efforts

Streamwood is developing a five-member panel to aid in local conservation efforts.

The Natural Resource Conservancy Commission would help formulate an energy conservation strategy for the village, said Village Manager Gary O'Rourke. The group would be comprised of individuals with backgrounds in areas like ecology and environmental engineering. A local student with an interest in natural resources also could serve on the panel.

The commission could be charged with developing a needs and inventory analysis of 350 acres of open land in Streamwood, and also could pursue grants, O'Rourke said.

Village Trustee Bill Harper suggested the commission also could research "green" products for the village's use, while Village President Billie Roth noted the panel could potentially provide students with opportunities for community service.

O'Rourke said area high school students who attended the village's Student Government Day on May 5 discussed the proposed commission.

Trustees could vote on the formal creation of the commission as early as June 4.

In related news, the village plans to replace its air-conditioning units, which are nine to 20 years old, with units that are more energy efficiency. The village was awarded a $142,900 federal grant to be used for local energy conservation efforts. O'Rourke said the replacement would result in $61,000 in savings.