Pingree Grove's bright future

A light is about to shine on Pingree Grove - from 250 compact fluorescent light bulbs.

The village this week won a bright future award from the Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit, Chicago-based group that fights for utility customers' lower rates.

Because a high percentage of Pingree Grove residents pledged to use at least one energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb in their homes, CUB will deliver 250 of them to the village board during its Monday meeting.

"I think it means that our village is definitely serious about the environmental issues we face," said Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey.

The village was one of 10 Illinois communities with the highest percentage of pledges in 2008, said Jim Chilsen, CUB's director of communications.

"We salute Pingree Grove for their foresight," he said.

CUB also recognized Volo, Plainfield, New Minden, Hollowayville, Steward and three ZIP codes in Chicago.

In recent years, going green has become a way of life in Pingree Grove.

The village runs an energy-efficient police station, uses plants to filter out its stormwater and sprays a biodegradable, plant- and animal-friendly substance on its roads to keep them clear of snow and ice.

Officials also are choosing a natural route when it comes to controlling its mosquito population, ordering 10,000 mosquito-eating fish for the village's ponds - at a total cost of $400.

The Gambusia minnows would eat the mosquito larvae settling in the water. A single fish can eat between 100 and 500 mosquito larvae a day, Carey said.

This way, the village avoids using chemicals that could be hazardous to the environment.

"We're going to give it a shot," Carey said. "Anything that can eat things, I say let's go for it."