Green Initiatives

Sustainability

The Village of Montgomery is invested in preservation and water conservation and proactively strives to become a more sustainable community.

BiBike Shareke Share Program

Now in Montgomery, the Fox Valley Bike Share Program is here to enjoy! Along with the Village of Montgomery, the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and the City of Batavia have partnered with the Kane County Division of Transportation to launch the Fox Valley Bike Share System. The new amenity is designed to make it easier for visitors to navigate around Montgomery (and neighboring communities)


Electrical Aggregation Program

Montgomery customers may enroll with Eligo Energy for "green" renewable energy at the same rate as the ComEd rate. There is no difference in cost to the consumer. However, this provides green energy credits to the Village of Montgomery on behalf of all residents of the Village as one of our sustainability initiatives and helps qualify us as a Green Power Community.

ElectrChargingStationic Vehicle Charging Station

There is an electric vehicle charging station at Village Hall (200 N. River St.). The charging station, obtained by Kane County, was installed by the Village of Montgomery. Electric or hybrid vehicles are still in the minority; they are the hope of the future since carbon dioxide emissions contribute to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and accelerate climate change. Electric vehicles do not release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere while driving, and hybrid cars use their battery to improve the distance you can travel significantly. The charging station allows individuals with electric vehicles to charge/refuel at the Village Hall.

Green Power Community

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the Village of Montgomery as a Green Power Community, recognizing its use of green power to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use. Through this program, the EPA works with more than a thousand partners purchasing billions of kilowatt hours of green power annually and encouraging ways to reduce the environmental impacts of purchased electricity use. 

Greenest Region Compact

Since 2007 Montgomery has been part of the Greenest Region Compact, which encourages municipalities to reduce energy consumption; advance renewable energy; promote community trees; and conserve water resources.

LED Street Bulbs

Beginning in the fall of 2019, Public Works team members began outfitting Montgomery's streetlight fixtures to accept LED bulbs, which are up to 50% more energy efficient than traditional sodium bulbs and can last 15 to 20 years. Montgomery received a grant from ComEd for $14,000 to help offset the cost of the initial phase of this project.

Sensible Salting Practices 

During the winter months, you will see Public Works plowing snow and applying road salt, also known as sodium chloride. The Village has adopted several Sensible Salting Practices that have reduced the quantity of salt and additives used to keep our roads safe. These procedures have resulted in a 40% reduction in the amount of road salt used, which saves money and helps the environment. Sodium chloride affects water quality by washing into lakes, streams, or groundwater supplies and can also affect the environment by running off into the soil, harming trees and vegetation. Our reduced salt usage significantly reduces our environmental footprint.

SolSmart

The Community Development Department took the initiative to begin to facilitate solar energy usage in Montgomery. In May 2019, due to their efforts, the Village was honored with the SolSmart Gold Designation in recognition of meeting official criteria and adopting solar best practices. This, along with an educational forum the Village hosted, has jump-started interest in solar power in Montgomery and assisted over 100 households in installing solar panels since that time.