- The Illinois State legislature passed a bill that aims to move the state to carbon-free energy by 2045.
- The bill will also provide $80 million yearly for clean energy investments.
The Illinois State legislature has approved a bill that will put the state on a path towards achieving 100% carbon-free power generation by 2045. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act plans to keep three Excelon nuclear plants open for five years while proposing to decarbonise or close the state’s coal and natural gas plants by 2045. The bill will also provide over $80 million annually for solar and energy workforce development, expansion of the state’s Solar for All program, electric vehicle and transportation incentives.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s has indicated that he intends to sign the bill into law. When signed, the bill will make Illinois the 11th state to mandate 100% carbon-free energy. Clean energy advocates believe that the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act can serve as a national example of how a transition to clean energy can create jobs, protect communities and keep utilities accountable. The state’s bill is the first in the nation that focuses on equity and economic investments in clean energy to help communities that need them the most.