{"id":16332,"date":"2017-09-21T14:35:35","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T18:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=16332"},"modified":"2017-09-21T15:00:20","modified_gmt":"2017-09-21T19:00:20","slug":"how-illinois-is-working-toward-a-cleaner-more-equitable-energy-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2017\/09\/21\/how-illinois-is-working-toward-a-cleaner-more-equitable-energy-future\/","title":{"rendered":"How Illinois is working toward a cleaner, more equitable energy future"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By Tyler Fitch, 2017 EDF Climate Corps Fellow<\/em><\/p>\n

EDF Climate Corps fellows<\/a> are designing clean energy solutions that reduce pollution and save money across the country. And at my summer fellowship with Environmental Defense Fund\u2019s (EDF) Midwest clean energy team as a part of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition<\/a>, I pursued ways to make clean energy benefit more than just one bottom line.<\/p>\n

My work resulted from the Future Energy Jobs Act, a monumental piece of bipartisan legislation that aims to transform Illinois’ clean energy economy<\/a> and \u201cbenefit all citizens of the State, including low-income [communities].\u201d Those lofty goals were enshrined in law in December 2016, the result of hard work and negotiation from the Clean Jobs Coalition, a group of more than 200 environmental, business, and faith organizations dedicated to promoting clean energy in the state.<\/p>\n

The energy landscape is changing in Illinois, and \u2013 if the Future Energy Jobs Act achieves what it set out to do \u2013 the future will be brighter for everyone. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n

\"\"From policy to action<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Future Energy Jobs Act went into effect on June 1, 2017 \u2013 my first day on the job. I\u2019m at my most comfortable knee-deep in a financial spreadsheet, so this was my first foray into crafting clean energy policy. At EDF, it isn\u2019t just about ensuring a project has a good return on investment; it\u2019s about making sure those returns benefit everyone. That means moving from financial problems to human problems, and translating the goals of the legislation into effective real-world programs.

It\u2019s about making sure those returns benefit everyone.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/p>\n

Turning the policy into reality lies with just two public entities. The Illinois Power Agency is tasked with designing and administering the programs, but only once it has approval from the 5 governor-appointed members of the Illinois Commerce Commission.<\/p>\n

Throughout the design and approval process, both organizations solicit public comments, information, and proposals \u2013 and that\u2019s where EDF and the Clean Jobs Coalition come in. We work on behalf of the environmental, business, faith, and environmental justice communities by submitting comments and making proposals that advocate for cleaner, smarter, and more equitable energy decisions.<\/p>\n

New developments<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are just a few of the ways the Future Energy Jobs Act will help Illinoisans and how we\u2019re bringing them to life:<\/p>\n