clean energy

Illinois lawmakers just passed another big clean-energy bill

Batteries are the centerpiece of the state’s third major piece of energy legislation in a decade. The governor has pledged to sign the bill. Illinois legislators passed a major energy bill that creates grid-battery and geothermal incentives and a virtual-power-plant program, during the final hours of a fall veto session Thursday. Advocates and industry sources describe the legislation as the crucial […]

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1,000-page multi-step energy reform bill passes in Illinois

Illinois (KHQA) — Environmental and clean energy advocates are praising the passing of a 1,000-page energy omnibus bill in the Illinois congress on Oct. 30. The bill has taken several names as its transformed over the years, from the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act to the Municipal and Cooperative Electric Utility Transparent Planning Act. Now, according to supporters, this

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Advocates gather in the Rotunda for a climate action rally.

Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Passage of Next-Generation Climate Policy 

Springfield, IL — Today, after passage in the State House yesterday, the Illinois State Senate passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB25), which accelerates Illinois’ clean energy progress and gives consumers tools to save money on their energy bills. In response, Illinois Environmental Council Chief Executive Officer Jen Walling released the following statement:

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Gov. JB Pritzker set to approve energy bill boosting battery storage for renewables despite debate over costs

SPRINGFIELD — Sweeping energy-related legislation that backs the use of big batteries to help make wind and solar power more effective but has raised questions about whether it will increase or decrease energy bills cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday night and will be headed to Gov. JB Pritzker, who signaled he would sign the measure into law.

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House passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers

Proponents say energy storage, efficiency programs will save money, critics wary of claims SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans could see a new line item on their electric bills under a bill passed Wednesday night by the Illinois House. Under the proposal, contained in an amendment to Senate Bill 25, ratepayers will subsidize energy storage projects like large battery

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Renewable Energy Act Before Illinois Legislature Would Decrease Stress on Ratepayers, Advocates Say

Groups are pushing the state General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, as increased strain on the grid has led to energy price spikes. Illinois advocacy groups are pressing state legislators to pass a package of comprehensive energy reforms that would help the state reach its clean energy goals and could

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Illinois Residents Urge Lawmakers to Act on Transit, Energy Bills

As part of a “People Over Polluters” event, more than 100 local environmental advocates traveled to the state capital to lobby during the state’s short fall veto session. SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—To meet with state lawmakers here, Michael Churchill, 24, left his home south of Chicago at 3 a.m. Wednesday, took a rideshare to a commuter rail

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Advocates gather in the Rotunda for a climate action rally.

Hundreds Rally at the State Capitol Urging State Lawmakers to Prioritize People Over Polluters Amidst Mounting Federal Attacks

Advocates calling for passage of bills that accelerate clean energy and fix and fund public transit Springfield, IL — Hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, and state legislators rallied at the Illinois State Capitol today to call on lawmakers to pass critical climate bills in the October veto session, including

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President Donald Trump cancels $583M in energy projects for Illinois, one of many blue states affected

Amid a funding stalemate in Congress and a federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump’s planned termination of nearly $8 billion for energy projects primarily in states that didn’t vote for him includes $583 million in cuts for projects in Illinois. Among those set to lose tens of millions of dollars in anticipated funding are power giant Exelon,

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Illinois’ push to train workers for solar industry jobs is paying off

A state-funded hub for clean energy workforce development is creating employment and business opportunities in the surrounding community. Advocates applauded the law’s impact at a celebration of the Alton hub at Lewis and Clark last month. ​“Now because of CEJA,” said Francisco Lopez Zavala, climate policy program associate of the Illinois Environmental Council, hubs like the community college ​“are

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Lewis and Clark Community College Training Next Generation of Clean Energy Workers in Illinois

Alton-area workforce training program made possible by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act has graduated 57 students and is training 47 more Alton, IL — Yesterday, Lewis and Clark Community College (LC) and the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) hosted a tour of LC’s training facilities at the Scott Bibb Center, where students are enrolled in

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capitol, building, us capitol-5019534.jpg

Big Ugly Bill Passes U.S. Congress, Reversing Critical Climate and Environment Protections

State-level action needed to safeguard consumers and Illinois’ climate goals ILLINOIS — Today, U.S. Congressional Republicans passed H.R.1, informally known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping reconciliation package that dismantles the landmark provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act while expanding fossil fuel development, rolling back environmental protections, restricting safety net programs, and extending high-income

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Clean energy job training offers hope to hundreds: ‘It’s changed my life’

“This is one of the difficulties with having such nation-leading legislation,” said Francisco Lopez Zavala, an Illinois Environmental Council climate policy program associate. “There was no other state in the U.S. to really model off in the efforts Illinois is leading in, with providing these trainings focused on the clean energy trade at such a

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An Illinois bill seeking to supercharge battery storage failed. Now what?

Supporters hoped the legislation would accelerate the state’s clean energy transition, but it stalled amid opposition from unions, farmers, and fossil-fuel groups. “There were some pretty significant wrenches” thrown in the works in the final days of negotiations, said Hannah Flath, spokesperson for the Illinois Environmental Council, an advocacy group. ​“Some things we just couldn’t untangle.”

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Shine On: Illinois Hopes to Continue Solar Boom Despite Federal Headwinds

Renewable energy advocates point to a 2021 law and state dollars as reasons for optimism in a challenging time. Illinois Shines, the state’s incentive program for on-site and community solar, is funded through a dedicated line item on ratepayer electric bills, noted Samira Hanessian, director of energy policy for the Illinois Environmental Council, an umbrella

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