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 After nearly two years in the works, the bill brings together a
wide variety of stakeholders to modernize Illinois’ energy policy
including much needed updates to the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS). These updates will
open the door for more clean energy development across the state,
create tens of thousands of jobs, and provide Illinois with a strong
path forward in moving beyond dirty and expensive fossil fuels.
In response to today’s news, Jack Darin, Director of the Illinois
Chapter of the Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club has worked with partners for more than two years to
build a stronger, more inclusive clean energy economy in Illinois.
Today we see the results of that grassroots effort made possible by
the widespread popular support for advancing clean energy investment
in our communities and acting on climate. We’ve made thousands of
calls to Illinois legislators, knocked on doors, and rallied
thousands of supporters from Chicago to Springfield to Alton. While
this bill contains difficult compromises, this is a tremendous leap
forward for clean energy in Illinois. With these policies now in
place and strengthened, we will continue the work to reduce
dangerous carbon pollution, support opportunities for
family-sustaining jobs in Illinois’ energy economy, ramp up
renewable energy and ensure that clean energy opportunity is
prioritized for communities burdened for decades by pollution.
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“Clean energy technology is growing every year in Illinois. These policies will
nurture that shift away from fossil fuels, bolster our energy economy, and help
ensure that every Illinois community can thrive in the clean energy economy.
With federal climate action being more uncertain than ever, it is more important
than ever that states act decisively on climate change, and Illinois is doing
just that.”
[Renner Barsella, The Sierra Club]
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