Where Naperville gets its electricity from isn’t just a utility decision, Naperville District 203 teacher John Klein-Collins told the Naperville City Council Tuesday night. It signals the city’s values, he said. “(Do we value) our own needs over the needs of others?” he said. “Convenience over conscience? Or will we demonstrate integrity and take steps towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future?” Despite the bitter cold, the Naperville City Council chambers were packed with community members like Klein-Collins imploring elected officials to chart a greener path forward for the city. The pleas were in response to the council grappling with the issue of whether now’s the time for a contract extension with its current electricity provider, the coal-heavy Illinois Muncipal Electric Agency (IMEA). Teachers, students — from middle school to college — members of the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force, religious leaders and local residents turned out to speak. Many wore red and held signs that read, “Say No To Coal.” Together, they represented the Say No To Coal consortium, a group of environmental and civic organizations that have teamed up to raise awareness about the current state and future of Naperville’s electric supply. Alongside NEST, which is an official Naperville advisory body, other consortium members include the League of Women Voters of Naperville, First Congregational UCC Naperville, Accelerate Climate Solutions and Green Scene North Central College. About 18 people spoke at the meeting about Naperville’s electric utility and its contract with IMEA. All but one speaker on the matter urged the city away from renewing the deal or encouraged officials to be prudent in any contract decisions. “I’m here today to ask you to protect all of our children’s future,” said Paul Bloom, a professor of physics at Naperville’s North Central College. “The future citizens of Naperville deserve to live in a city that is both healthy and sustainable,” said Astha Savalia, a seventh-grader at Kennedy Junior High School. Say No To Coal messages flooded the council’s public forum a day after President Donald Trump declared a “national energy emergency” as one of his first acts as president. Trump also signed an executive order Monday directing the United States to again withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. Council members responded to the pleas with assurances that they are listening and do not want to rush into any decisions. “We’re really, in my opinion, at the start of a pretty long road. … We’re literally in this together,” Councilman Patrick Kelly said. “We’re all part of the same communities. We’re trying to find a path forward to working together and figure out the best result. It’s really critical.” Councilman Josh McBroom said, “It’s important to you guys so that means it’s important to us.” He added that if there was a way to ensure Naperville could continue to have reliable and affordable electricity “all on renewables and all on clean energy, I think you would have a unanimous vote up here,” noting that he really wants “to believe that’s possible.” Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor said “that I know, from at least myself and I believe from many others I’ve heard up here, that we’re not allowing IMEA to dictate the timeline as to our processes here, that we’re going to follow all of the proper processes to make sure that we can make a decision that’s best for our community as a whole.” Discussions over Naperville’s electric utility and IMEA are expected to continue over the next few months, city staff say. The city’s current contract with IMEA is due to expire in 2035. The agency, however, wants Naperville to extend its commitment to 2055 and has requested that the city make a decision on that by April 30. As that deadline draws closer, there will be several more opportunities for officials and community members to learn more about what energy supply options are available and where it could go from here. In mid- to late-February, the city anticipates receiving a report back from consultant Customized Energy Solutions on options for how it can power its electric grid in years to come, including alternatives to IMEA and how they measure up to what the agency currently provides. The city also is planning to hold a special meeting of its Public Utilities Advisory Board in early March to discuss those options, according to Electric Utility Director Brian Groth. Then in April, staff are looking to hold a council workshop on the matter. Staff do not anticipate bringing asking for a council vote prior to the council election on April 1, City Manager Doug Krieger says. Eight candidates vying for four open council seats. The new council will be seated in May. The Associated Press contributed. [email protected]