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 the electricity contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Association (IMEA) through 2055. The IMEA is Naperville’s sole electricity supplier and 80% of IMEA’s electricity comes from their two coal-fired plants.

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 Naperville’s reliance on outdated, expensive coal power would lock the city into a 30-year contract, preventing the transition to cleaner, more cost-effective renewable energy solutions.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 Naperville City Council 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.

Ava Cohen
Elmhurst