A new program will provide some East St. Louis residents with cheaper renewable energy.
Once up and running, the East St. Louis Solar Project will provide over 2,000 households with free energy. Another 1,000 households will receive energy discounted by 50%.
Former Mayor Alvin Parks says the project could be a lifeline for some residents.
"People are struggling between, 'do I get medicine or do I pay this light bill? Do I pay this light bill or do I send this brilliant child to college?' Now, it's going to be a little bit easier [for them] to do some of those other things because they're not being strangled by electrical bills."
Former East Saint Louis Mayor, Albert Parks, speaks at a Tuesday press conference in the East Saint Louis City Hall.Jade Aubrey
Officials said ownership over the solar panels will transition to community leaders after 7 years of operation. The development is projected to produce energy for over a decade after that.
The project will be located at the intersection of N 29th Street and Illinois Avenue, which used to be an industrial waste site.
While there's no word yet on when construction will begin, KMOX will have updates when more information becomes available.
