Des Plaines aldermen issue energy savings challenge

Des Plaines city leaders are urging residents to enter an energy savings race by signing up for an alternate energy supplier over ComEd.

Aldermen Mark Walsten (6th Ward), Dan Wilson (7th Ward) and Mike Charewicz (8th Ward) issued the challenge to residents of their wards and the remaining five wards at a recent city council meeting.

The contest’s goal is to see which alderman can enroll the most number of residents in the Energy Savings Program offered by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to save 21 percent on the electricity services portion of their ComEd bills. Participants will get a four-pack of energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs to reduce their energy use as part of the program.

“This program is what we need to help residents hard hit in a sluggish economy save money,” Walsten said. “Residents from my community now have the option to save $250 off their electric bills and reduce pollution. Having extra money to spend will take some of the pressure off residents and promote job growth. Everybody in the city of Des Plaines can be a winner.”

Charewicz said he has taken advantage of energy deregulation for years with his business and saved a lot of money.

“What we are doing here is simply helping our residents take advantage of the same opportunities with the energy efficiency component of light bulbs,” he said.

The winning alderman will present raffle prizes to participants who register by Aug. 1. Prizes include 10 weatherization kits for residents with a retail value of $50 to save on electricity costs. Each kit contains a watt meter, energy efficient light bulbs, weather stripping, outlet covers, caulks and a low-flow shower head. Raffle prizes include a $1,000 cash reward from Des Plaines’ DEEP Green Committee, restaurant gift certificates, tickets to the Des Plaines Theatre, and other community-centered prizes.

Residents and businesses can sign up at integrysenergy.com/esp. Residents that have a different alternative supplier may enter the raffle by providing proof and a description of the steps they are taking to become more energy efficient. Raffle entries may be mailed to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Attn: Eve Pytel, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.