Welcome Ava Cohen

By Connie Schmidt

Out of the mist, a young woman found River Prairie Group and is now helping in multiple ways.  Ava Cohen first became involved last fall with the restoration project that Bruce Blake leads at Glacial Ridge Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn. (Hint, hint, this is super important and fun work, so check out our calendar for opportunities this summer.) After Ava expressed an interest in more opportunities for involvement, Bruce introduced her to our political and lobby chair, Linda Sullivan. Linda fostered Ava’s new interest with a 1:1 coffee chat, and they discussed IL policy advocacy. Ava is based in Elmhurst, where she works part time as an accounting assistant and studies part time with a fellowship with Isla Urbana USA. She is looking for a full-time job in environmental communication. Ava is also a very active volunteer for CCL (Citizens Climate Lobby) and The Climate Reality Project, in addition to trying to build her personal portfolio.

At a recent executive committee meeting, it was mentioned that the RPG should write a public comment on the situation that Naperville is facing with pressure from the IMEA to sign a contract extension for their dirty coal power until 2055. This contract is not required to be signed until 2030, and Naperville can be researching other options during this time. Ava stepped forward and wrote the comment below, which was published in the February 3rd Daily Herald newspaper. Congratulations to Ava for jumping in and sharing her voice!

City Should Reject Contract Extension 

We should all be concerned with the climate crisis. As a young person, climate change is at the forefront of my political and economic decision-making. The burning of fossil fuels, like coal, significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which pollute the air and exacerbate the climate crisis. 

Right now, the Naperville City Council is considering extending their electricity contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Association (IMEA) through 2055. The IMEA is Naperville’s sole electricity supplier, and because 80% of IMEA’s electricity comes from their two coal plants, 80% of Naperville’s electricity is from burning coal.

Because of the dire planetary crisis at hand, this contract stands as a major barrier to a sustainable future for us and our children. According to the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the IMEA’s Prairie State Plant emitted 12.4 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2024 alone, making it one of the nation’s top polluters. These emissions intensify climate change by trapping heat in our atmosphere, resulting in sea-level rise, biodiversity loss, and the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events. 

Decarbonizing our energy sector is both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity. Naperville’s reliance on outdated, expensive coal power will lock the city into a 30-year contract, preventing the transition to cleaner, more cost-effective renewable energy solutions. Moreover, the ongoing maintenance of aging coal plants is costly and unsustainable compared to the long-term benefits of renewable energy.

I urge the City of Naperville to reject this contract extension and instead seize the opportunity to invest in a forward-thinking energy strategy that prioritizes sustainability, cost savings, and the well-being of future generations. This is an opportunity for Naperville to lead the way toward a cleaner, more resilient future.