Evanston to participate in PJM demand‑response program; council accepts report

The Administrative Public Works Committee accepted and placed on file a staff report on participation in a PJM demand‑response program that would make the city’s backup generators available as standby capacity for the regional electric grid.

The measure was accepted by motion and passed 4-0. Council Member Nussma moved to accept and place the report on file; Council Member Davis seconded.

Daryl King, water production bureau chief, explained that the program “in essence allows the city to utilize our backup generators, our engines, in events, to prevent, you know, blackouts of the electrical grid.” He said participation requires only being available as standby and that, except for an annual two‑hour test, it “won’t impact our operations.”

King said the idea came to staff through the Utilities Commission and named members who helped — Steven McComb (chair), Steve Waters (co‑chair) and Jonathan Hargrove — noting the effort as a “community, staff partnership.” Council Member Kelly described the arrangement in plain terms: city natural‑gas generators used for water‑plant continuity would be listed as standby and “PJM will pay us just to exist as standby.” Kelly added that the city can expect “a hundred thousand dollars over the next 3 years” and potentially more if the city is called on to run the generators.

Committee members asked no follow‑up policy or funding questions about procurement; staff framed the item as revenue generation rather than a purchase. The committee voted to accept and place the report on file by voice and roll call; the motion carried 4-0.

The report will be filed with committee records; no contract or purchase authorization was requested at this meeting.