Show innovation, reject contract

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Naperville City Council will vote whether to renew a power supply contract years earlier than required, and lock in use of dirty coal for decades. Even if you are skeptical of climate change and fossil fuels’ effect on it, not many people doubt that pollution from burning coal is harmful to many. To be direct, it kills people - mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, loved ones.

And if you believe in climate change and coal's impact on it, then you know climate change will kill more of these same loved ones as well as make life hard and dangerous for many via droughts, floods and extreme temperatures.

Renewable energy is a mature industry. Prices are lower than fossil fuels in many places in the world. Renewable energy is not subject to the whims of energy markets. They can be maintained in an orderly way and with stable prices. Doesn't that sound nice compared to the daily roller coaster of street-corner economics of local gas stations?

Will a transition happen overnight? No, like any investment, it takes time. But there are states and countries where a majority of power comes from renewables. They have a plan, all ready for us. And every drop of carbon and particle pollutant we keep out of the air is a life saved or made more livable. Isn't that worth an investment?

Naperville likes to tout itself as a leading city. We are large population (140,000 +) of high-consuming individuals. What we do has ripple effects on people all over the world, including our loved ones. Let's rise to the challenge, show leadership, save lives and insist that our elected leaders reject the IMEA contract and act like the innovators we say we are and find clean sources of energy.

Steven E. Shamrock

Naperville