Should St. Charles lock in its next power contract now or wait? 

That’s the question city officials are exploring after a detailed presentation from Kessler Energy Consulting at the July 28 Government Services Committee meeting. 

The discussion centered around whether to sign a new 20-year contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) or keep options open by considering other energy suppliers before the current agreement expires in 2035.

Key things to know:

• The decision isn’t urgent, but the pressure is on: IMEA is asking St. Charles to sign a new power supply contract by August 19, even though the current contract runs through September 2035.
  

• Alternative energy suppliers are available: St. Charles could potentially partner with providers like Constellation or NextEra, who already serve other municipalities and allow more flexibility in energy sourcing.
  

• Coal-heavy mix versus greener options: The consultant said about 80% of St. Charles’ power comes from coal, mostly through IMEA’s stake in two coal plants. A new IMEA contract would reduce that over time but still lean heavily on coal, while third-party providers might offer a cleaner mix.

A follow-up meeting is set for August 11 to continue the conversation. 

Watch the full meeting recording. Read more in this Shaw Local article.

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