DECATUR - Lighting the way to be more energy efficient is what the Decatur Park District plans to do after receiving a $80,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

"Embracing cleaner energy can be the simple act of replacing old, inefficient lights with high efficiency bulbs, ballasts and controls," said Bob Romo, program officer with the foundation based in Chicago, who presented a check to park board President Chris Riley and staff Thursday at the Decatur Airport.

The foundation has been providing $2.7 million in lighting grants to park districts around the state since 2001, Romo said.

"Our mission is to improve energy sufficiency and develop renewable energy resources," Romo said. "We like to impact those organizations like schools and park districts that are an important fabric of the community.

"Not to mention that energy is very expensive. And who pays the energy costs if not the park district - is the taxpayers," he added.

He estimates the foundation's grant will reduce electrical demand by almost 150 kilowatts; an amount equivalent to the energy needs of 50 Decatur households.

The park district's average electricity bill from AmerenIP was about $500,000 during the 2004-2005 fiscal year. However, that amount is predicted to increase by 15 percent for the 2005-2006 fiscal year that began May 1, said Rodney Buhr, chief financial officer for the park district.

"The park district can save thousands of dollars to continue providing top-notch facilities and services to our community," Riley said. "Whether it's for art programs or in-the-park programs, that money can be put to better use and we don't have to raise taxes," Riley said.

Some of the park-owned facilities to receive energy-efficient lighting upgrades and fixtures first will be the airport, Decatur Indoor Sports Center, Scovill and Hickory Point golf courses and the district's administration office. The upgrades are estimated to save nearly $70,000 a year in energy, maintenance, heating and cooling costs.

Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas@;herald-review.com or 421-7963.