Here's what Springfield mayoral candidates said about energy, city's homeless, livability

On behalf of voters, The State Journal-Register asked candidates for Springfield mayor questions about plans for providing clean and affordable energy, how the city should combat homeless, and the livability and viability of the city. Here are the responses from incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder and challenger city Treasurer Misty Buscher.

Question: Several groups, including the Faith Coalition for the Common Good, Sustainable Springfield and Resistor Sisterhood have called upon City Water, Light & Power to update its Integrated Resource Plan for long-term planning purposes. What specifically would you envision going into a plan and how can you ensure future generations of Springfieldians would have clean and affordable energy?

Jim Langfelder: Through my administration's fiduciary expertise and commitment, we took CWLP from three days of cash to over 100 days and established a $25 million reserve fund for environmental mitigations without raising utility rates.

In 2018, we commissioned the first comprehensive Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to help identify the best resource options for CWLP to provide reliable and competitively priced electrical power to meet Springfield's future energy needs.  Due to COVID's disruption to the IRP's implementation schedule and fluctuating energy markets, we will update the plan in 2024.

To date, we have successfully decommissioned 31, 32 and 33 old coal fire generators and partnered with the University of Illinois to establish a Coal Carbon Capture Pilot Project for Dallman 4, which is funded by state and federal grants. The carbon capture project will be complete in two years and will open up environmental and economic opportunities across the world.

We are also in the process of securing a proper balance of sustainable and reliable energy utilizing a previous agreement with the future EmberClear Natural Gas Plant and analyzing cost/benefits of private/public solar installations utilizing tax credits and grants to offset a private/public solar installation. While other electric companies have raised their utility rates, we have taken appropriate actionable steps not to raise rates and will continue to operate CWLP in that manner.

Misty Buscher: City Water, Light & Power used to be known as the “gem of the city,” unfortunately this is not the case today. While the Integrated Resource Plan of 2018 is viewed as a guide for future resource decisions, it clearly states that the statements of the plan are based on the “economics of each decision.” This study is based on sets of inputs and assumptions “that, in TEA’s best judgment, will provide CWLP with recommendations, based on the most reasonable information available at the time.”

While I believe it is time to take a hard look at what is best for the ratepayers, we must consider that MISO ( Midcontinent Independent System Operator) is changing its capacity accreditation for renewable resources. While we need to consider relative risk factors to bring CWLP back to where it needs to be for long-term generation, we must know what these new accreditations are. Once these accreditations are set, we can then evaluate an IRP. Currently, CWLP is looking to add additional megawatts of solar and batteries this year. The goal is to have clean, affordable energy.

More:The consolidated election is April 4. Here's what you need to know about casting a ballot

While the City of Springfield has been asked to invest financially in the homelessness initiative “Heartland Housed,” recent discussions at a city council meeting included echoes of a “not in my backyard” mentality. How can this plan best be implemented and what other strategies might the city employ to combat homelessness?

Langfelder: The "Heartland Housed" strategic plan is a community effort funded by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, the City of Springfield, Memorial Health, HSHS St. John's and Sangamon County.  The goal is to get to "functional zero" homelessness in five years by providing housing with wraparound support services as needed.

In the upcoming city budget, we are allocating $2.3 million Home-ARP funds toward the "Heartland Housed" initiative. In addition, Helping Hands, through the assistance of Sangamon County, will open a new low barrier 24/7 service facility by adaptive re-use of the Juvenile Center.

More:Langfelder seeks third term as Springfield mayor, something that eluded his father

Once open, the Salvation Army 24/7 low barrier shelter on 11th Street will no longer be needed.  The city will continue our efforts to support the Continuum of Care agencies to carry out the "Heartland Housed" strategy.

We will also continue to fund our Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) to identify and assist people that are on the streets to get them housed. HOT is made up of city, healthcare and Continuum of Care personnel that engage with people who are unsheltered. They assess their situation, get them the support services needed and/or re-connected with family.

Buscher: The strategic plan to end homelessness was led by representatives from homeless service providers, our health care systems, the Springfield Urban League, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Sangamon County, the City of Springfield and community members. The best thing we can do is to support the professionals who are now leading this plan. The City of Springfield can assist with the implementation of the five-year plan by working together to keep the lines of communication open with our citizens while providing education on the plan and topic.

The "not in my backyard" problem is not new and exists across the country and will not disappear overnight. The city needs to serve as a leader bringing every voice together to listen to legitimate concerns and assist with the distribution of facts and information. Federal funding and programs are integral to efforts within the community to prevent and end homelessness. As a city, we should encourage and assist policymakers in securing funding for our homeless community.

More:Two-term Springfield city treasurer 'putting my money where my mouth is' in run for mayor

How can Springfield become a more welcoming city in terms of livability and viability? How would that "welcome" extend to businesses and companies?

Langfelder: The top critical factors to improve a city's livability and viability are safety, environmental sustainability, housing, and quality of life factors.

Safety - Along with community engagement, the police department has utilized technology like Shotspotter, license plate readers and data analytics to combat crime. Violent crime is at a five-year low. Keeping up with technological advancements, expanding our Neighborhood Police Officer program, and proactive interactions with teens will improve safety factors. We are building three modernized fire stations and utilizing traffic pre-emption technology.

Environmental sustainability - Within a year, we will receive a record of decision for a backup water source from the Army Corps of Engineers.  The source, along with dredging Lake Springfield coves and creating silt filtration traps, will address future water needs. CWLP's Carbon Capture project will extend Dallman 4's useful life and open up environmental and economic opportunities worldwide. We are also fulfilling the Integrated Resource Plan strategy with solar and utilize EmberClear natural gas plant as a potential resource for reliability. Other CWLP projects are electric charging stations, Smart Street Lighting and Water Meters, and building out our fiber to 40 gig capacity for greater broadband access and business development, especially in our inner city.

Housing - Springfield is rated #17 in the country as an emerging housing market. To assure affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, we are moving forward with a Whole Block Redevelopment initiative that will provide paid workforce training opportunities while rebuilding dilapidated houses and doing infill development.

Springfield's initiative has been selected by Bloomberg/Harvard as a potential model for the country, and we have a Harvard Fellow for two years to help champion the initiative. We will also continue our efforts to use TIF funds for housing redevelopment efforts such as adaptive reuse of upper-story buildings downtown into apartments, like on Adams Street.

Quality of Life- The rail consolidation in 2025 will allow for the Third Street corridor to become a pedestrian and bike-friendly green beltway throughout the city that will stimulate business and community development. This along with our continued road infrastructure improvements that include bike lanes to connect with bike trails will improve our community's connectivity.

We will continue to utilize public/private partnerships like the new downtown YMCA, the Comer Cox Park Teen Empowerment Zone, Wabash median beautification project, expand our Urban Forestry efforts in landscaping and planting 500 trees annually and complete and implement the Downtown-Medical District Plan to improve quality of life factors throughout our city.

Buscher: I believe this is where my strength lies. A livable community encourages leadership, volunteering, andengagement. It creates a sense of community and belonging by embracing diversity, and by creating social stability and equity. Our human rights scorecard has many weaknesses and as mayor, I will address these issues that have gone ignored.

A viable city is a city that is growing and developing. Therefore, I focus so much on industry, job growth and expansion in Springfield. The success of industry, job growth and expansion will extend to current businesses and the potential new industries I seek to bring to Springfield. Businesses want to know that their diverse workforce will have a sense of belonging and well-being in our city. The benefits of correcting these issues will be robust neighborhoods, vibrant public spaces, mobility and a diverse economy in which our residents feel safe.This is an issue I speak of often and am passionate about addressing as mayor.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Candidates in 2023 race for Springfield mayor answer SJ-R questions