City of Batavia
The City of Batavia is becoming an environmental leader in city government. Their vision statement includes the following:
Batavia is a community that preserves a strong relationship with the Environment. Batavia provides a balance of city amenities and abundant open spaces and natural areas, and considers the environmental implications of its actions.
With this commitment in place, they offer an array of green services to its citizens and continue to work toward reducing their environmental footprint. Their Environmental Commission has put together a page on their website highlighting the green work of the city, resources for its citizens and Batavia's finest natural areas.
Take a look at what the City has to offer: Batavia's Environmental Commission.
Below are the City's Green Facts, their good environmental accomplishments. They can be found on the Batavia's Environmental Commission webpage.
Bio diesel vehicles: The City is using B20 Bio diesel in all diesel-powered vehicles, including fire trucks and has started to use filtered cooking oil as fuel in several Public Works vehicles.
Policy on Limitations on Engine Idling: Effective January 1, 2008 the City adopted a Policy on Limitations on Engine Idling.
Electronic Recycling Program: Residents and small businesses in Batavia can recycle old electronic equipment locally, FREE OF CHARGE. The collection point is the Batavia Public Works Department located at 200 North Raddant Road. Hours of drop off are Monday through Friday, 8am to 3pm. When arriving at Public Works, please enter the main entrance on Raddant Road and advise the receptionist that you have equipment to drop off.
LED traffic lights: The City will change over our traffic lights to LED in the near future. Some of the work is waiting on completion of Wilson Street Bridge project.
Hybrid vehicles: The City has five Ford Escape Hybrids in it’s fleet.
2006 IECC building codes: The City has adopted the 2006 IECC building codes which guide both commercial and residential, new construction and rehab. The code focuses on sealing the building envelope setting increased standards on R-values for ceilings, walls, and windows. Includes insulation of floors and foundations, which is new to our codes.
Requires insulation of ductwork and sealing and caulking. Allows for options. There is a software program that has a way to meet the energy efficiency requirements through system upgrades – like better HVAC equipment.
Tree Commission and Ten years of Tree City USA recognition City has received Tree City USA Growth Award for 6 of the 10 years. Since 2001 City has donated tree saplings to all the fourth graders in Batavia in recognition of Arbor Day.
Tree Line USA recognition Batavia’s Electric Utility has been recognized as a Tree Line USA since 1999.
Pursuing wind turbine investment The City is working through the Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency (NIMPA) on a small Wind Farm Project in Northern Illinois. Applications for Federal grant money through the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (Crebs) program should be filed by this June. NIMPA is the Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency, a joint action group formed in 2004 by three municipal utilities – Batavia, Geneva, Rochelle – This group has jointly invested in the Prairie State Generating Plant currently be developed in Southern Illinois. Also pursuing the possibility of investing in a number of wind turbines and sharing staff to pursue energy efficiency and education.
CREBs are the acronym for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds – a way to finance wind turbines that provides no interest costs to the municipality. It is part of the 2005 Energy Policy Act.
Pricing incentives & Rate Design The City is working with ComEd on some new curtailment programs we will be offering this summer for some of our retail rates. The Electric Department has also budgeted for a retail rate study this year with the goal of redesigning the rates to provide incentives for energy efficiency.
Lighting upgrades throughout City offices All of the offices at Public Works have been converted to energy efficient fluorescents, and we have also changed out most if not all of our exit signs.
Call2 Recycle This is a program that the City has recently joined to provide an easy and free way of disposing of rechargeable batteries and broken or out of date cell phones. Boxes are located in the Main Lobby of City Hall near the Utility Billing Collection Window, and by the Front Desk at the Public Works building.