As Batavia plans its energy future, a new survey shows residents are open to cleaner power, but most aren’t willing to pay significantly more.

At a special Committee of the Whole meeting on July 7, city officials will review the results and begin discussing an official energy policy to guide long-term planning.

Here’s what came out of the survey:

• Affordability topped the list of priorities, with nearly 39% of residents ranking it as the most important factor in future energy decisions, followed closely by reliability and sustainability.

• When it comes to paying extra for cleaner energy, nearly 4 in 10 said they aren’t willing to pay more, and only 3.7% were open to increases beyond 15%.

• There’s strong interest in demand-side programs like smart thermostats and demand response incentives, which help reduce peak usage without raising costs.

• Many residents expressed ongoing frustration over the city’s long-term contract with the Prairie State coal plant and want future energy decisions to be more transparent and flexible.

City staff will use this feedback to begin drafting an energy policy that balances community values with infrastructure needs and financial realities.

Read a city memo about the survey results.

View the presentation that will be discussed during the meeting.

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