FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Contacts:
Amanda Pankau, Prairie Rivers Network, apankau@prairierivers.org, 217-840-3057
Announcing Saline Shines, an Energy Savings Outreach Program in Saline County
Saline County, Illinois – Residents and businesses in Saline County now have a new opportunity to learn more about saving money on electricity. Saline Shines offers information for low-income households and small businesses about programs that reduce energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and expand access to renewable energy. In addition to launching a website (www.salineshines.com) and facebook page, the Saline Shines outreach team officially launched the program this week with an informational table at the Heaven’s Kitchen Food Pantry.
“Our goal with Saline Shines is to connect directly with the people of Saline County to help them reduce energy burdens,” said Randa Watts, a Prairie Rivers Network staff member and member of the Saline Shines team. “We are excited to get out to events in the community to meet people and help them understand and sign up for energy saving programs, like community solar and energy efficiency.”
Saline Shines connects low-income residents to several key energy-savings programs, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Low-Income Community Solar, and Ameren Energy Efficiency Programs. LIHEAP helps households pay heating and cooling bills and is administered to eligible Saline County residents by the Wabash Area Development, Inc. Community solar allows households and businesses to subscribe to offsite solar projects and save money on their electricity bills, without installing panels on their own property. Low-Income Community Solar offers increased savings for low-income residents. Finally, Ameren’s Energy Efficiency Programs provides free energy assessments and financial support for building upgrades that can reduce energy use and save money. These offerings are available to small businesses, nonprofits, and local units of government, as well as to income qualified Ameren customers.
The Saline Shines team is also available to help people understand solar energy, geothermal, heat pumps, and other energy related questions. The Saline Shines outreach efforts are specific to Saline County, but the opportunities highlighted are accessible to many other households in Southern Illinois as well.
Saline Shines is a program of Prairie Rivers Network (PRN), an Illinois nonprofit organization with a 59-year history of supporting environmental protection and community well-being across the state. In Saline County, PRN has been working to support communities in accessing funding to address the economic challenges of coal mine closures. The initiative is also supported by the Sol Systems Eldorado Impact Project, a long-term community benefits program to reinvest revenue from the Eldorado Solar project back into the community. Other investments have been made to the Eldorado High School, Saline County 4H, Food Works, Faith in Place, and more.
“The Eldorado Impact Project reflects our commitment to being a long-term partner in Saline County,” said Adaora Ifebigh, Senior Director of Community Impact at Sol Systems. “We’re proud to support Prairie Rivers Network and their Saline Shines program, which connects residents and small businesses with practical tools to lower energy bills and access the benefits of clean energy.”
As part of the program launch, PRN is hiring a local intern to support outreach efforts in Saline County. The intern will work with PRN staff to assist with community engagement, event coordination, and helping residents connect with energy-saving resources.
Residents interested in learning more about Saline Shines, applying for energy assistance programs, or applying for the internship position can contact salineshines@prairierivers.org or 217-344-2371, Ext 222.
At Prairie Rivers Network (PRN), we protect water, heal land, and inspire change. Using the creative power of science, law, and collective action, we protect and restore our rivers, return healthy soils and diverse wildlife to our lands, and transform how we care for the earth and for each other. PRN is the Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.
