March 7, 2012 Karen Cotton
309.566.4126 karen.cotton@amwater.com
Belleville, Ill. (March 7, 2012) -Illinois American Water is
installing solar power at office buildings located at 100
North Water Works Drive and 300 North Water Works Drive in
Belleville. Two solar rebates from the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and a federal
tax credit are helping to fund this investment.
Illinois American Water received two $30,000 solar rebates
from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity for the installation of two 24 kW solar systems.
The company also received a 30 percent federal tax credit to
help offset installation costs.
"This new solar power system will provide an environmentally
friendly energy source to our offices in Belleville while
reducing energy cost by about 15 percent," said Karla Olson
Teasley, president of Illinois American Water.
The solar structures, which are being installed by local
contractor Day and Night Solar and CMS Renewables, will be
located along the south side of the current parking lot. In
addition to producing electricity the solar power systems
will also produce annual Solar Renewable Energy Credits
(SREC's). SREC's can be purchased by power utilities to help
them in meeting renewable energy power requirements.
According to Jeffrey Kaiser, director of engineering for
Illinois American Water, "This project supports our company's
commitment to control costs. In time this investment will not
only pay for itself but will help offset rising energy costs,
which ultimately benefits our customers."
Illinois America Water is investigating potential
opportunities to complete solar power projects in the Peoria
District.
Illinois American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned
water utility in the state, providing high-quality and
reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 1.2
million people. American Water also operates a customer
service center in Alton and a quality control and research
laboratory in Belleville. Founded in 1886, American Water is
the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater
utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the
company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who
provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services
to approximately 15 million people in more than 30
states, as well as parts
of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
PRESS RELEASE www.amwater.com