Donate
Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin Youtube

clean energy

Letters: Elwood gas plant demonstrates the need to replace fossil fuel plants with renewable energy sources

Until data center developers are required to bring their own clean energy and capacity resources and are held accountable for their outsized impact on the grid, the strain on our power grid will be untenable. It’s time to pass the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513) and ensure the new energy era builds on CEJA, delivering a clean energy future for Illinois communities, consumers, businesses and even data centers.

Letters: Elwood gas plant demonstrates the need to replace fossil fuel plants with renewable energy sources Read More »

Data centers are cropping up all over Illinois. How do they work?

“There are a number of folks who are really concerned that the influx of data centers will make it harder for us to achieve the clean energy goals we set in [Illinois’s 2021 climate bill] because of how much electricity they require and also how much demand they put on our grid,” said Hannah Flath, director of communications at Illinois Environmental Council. “We’d like to see them be held accountable to the goals that our state has set, and they certainly have enough money to do so.”

Data centers are cropping up all over Illinois. How do they work? Read More »

Our Chicago: How data centers could positively, negatively impact you

Jen Walling is the Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Environmental Council.

She wrote in Crain’s that “Big Tech” is coming to Illinois and that the state isn’t ready.

“We don’t have the guardrails in place that are going to be necessary to protect our environment, to keep our rates low, to protect our communities and most importantly, protect our water,” Walling said.

Our Chicago: How data centers could positively, negatively impact you Read More »

Commentary: With Big Tech’s big footprint, Illinois needs guardrails for data centers now

The POWER Act proposes a commonsense solution: require data centers to pay 100% of the costs they impose on the grid. If a private corporation’s operations require expensive new infrastructure, Illinois ratepayers shouldn’t be stuck with the bill. Data centers must pay their fair share.

Commentary: With Big Tech’s big footprint, Illinois needs guardrails for data centers now Read More »

Graduates of Illinois clean energy workforce program gain a vision — and skills for the future

Core to the landmark climate law is creating “a just transition,” said Francisco Lopez Zavala, the Illinois Environmental Council’s policy program associate. For lawmakers, this means building a clean energy workforce in Illinois’ most environmentally burdened communities.

Graduates of Illinois clean energy workforce program gain a vision — and skills for the future Read More »