By GREG BARTA

The city of Peoria purchased the 70-plus acres at Exposition Gardens and plans to develop it into a 200-home subdivision.

This subdivision, while addressing the need for more affordable housing, could address the urgent need to combat climate change by moving towards clean-energy sources.

Solar panels on every home and a community geothermal heat pump system to cool and heat the homes would create Peoria’s “Green Neighborhood” at Expo Gardens.

Let’s encourage Peoria to not just do the same-old, get-by practices, but be on the forefront of renewable energy, address climate change and green-energy jobs all while putting Peoria on the map in a positive light — and also create permanent, low-cost energy bills for the new homeowners.

The city and staff are currently planning on sending out requests to developers to build the 200-home subdivision without requesting clean-energy sources. This is backwards.  If the city is interested in pursuing clean-energy sources for this subdivision, then clean-energy source requests should be included in the original requests for development.  Maybe request both at the same time.

I recommend that the city put a hold on these developer requests until the issue of incorporating solar and community geothermal are investigated.

Illinois is a national leader on climate and has doubled the state’s investment in renewable-energy development. Peoria can take advantage of this.

We have willing partners in state leadership who can assist in finding state resources to help with Peoria’s Green Neighborhood at Expo Gardens.

A positive move would also be the creation of a Citizens Advisory Group to assist in this green development.

This is all possible if city leadership, including Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, District 4 City Councilman Andre Allen, City Manager Patrick Urich, and other City Council and staff members, agrees to support and pursue this worthwhile endeavor. Please contact them to let them know you support this clean-energy project.

The empty site at Expo Gardens is a perfect place to utilize a community geothermal heat pump system.

Geothermal (ground-source) heat pumps are widely considered the most environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and sustainable home heating and cooling technology, frequently cited by the Environmental Protection Agency as the best choice. The systems use 70-80% less energy than fossil-fuel systems by moving heat to and from the earth rather than generating it, reducing carbon emissions by up to 75%.

GEOTHERMAL ‘GREENEST’ TECHNOLOGY

Highest Efficiency: Geothermal systems achieve efficiencies of more than 400%, meaning they produce four units of energy for every one unit of electricity consumed.

Emmissions: They run 100% on electricity, emitting no on-site greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide.

Renewable Energy Source: They tap into the constant, renewable temperature of Earth.

Low Impact: Geothermal systems have a long lifespan, with underground loops lasting more than 50-100 years.

Payback Period: Most systems pay for themselves within 5-15 years through energy savings.

Increased Property Value: Homes with geothermal systems often see a $25,000 to $30,000 increase in resale value.

BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY GEOTHERMAL

High Efficiency: Geothermal systems can achieve 300% to 500% efficiency, meaning they produce three to five units of energy for every one unit of electricity consumed.

Lower Operating Costs: Because the underground loop is shared, community systems reduce the upfront drilling costs for individual homeowners, while still offering significantly lower monthly utility bills. That can mean up to 40% savings in cost per individual.

Long-Term Savings: While installation costs can be higher, community systems often provide a faster return on investment (often five-10 years) due to lower maintenance, and the underground infrastructure can last 50-100 years.

I  talked with Joe Barth at TCI Companies Inc. in Goodfield, who is a local leader in geothermal well drilling.  He said  a community geothermal system at Expo Gardens is very doable. He can have an engineer come in and talk before the City Council about how a community geothermal system for Peoria’s Green Neighborhood would work.

Let us move from the dark gray, polluted skies of fossil fuels to the clear, clean skies of renewable and sustainable clean energy sources.

Let’s make a difference and support clean energy sources for Peoria’s Green Neighborhood at Expo Gardens!