{"id":20487,"date":"2020-08-27T10:34:42","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T14:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=20487"},"modified":"2020-08-27T10:42:40","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T14:42:40","slug":"a-stronger-ceja-will-help-combat-dirty-fuel-and-dirty-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2020\/08\/27\/a-stronger-ceja-will-help-combat-dirty-fuel-and-dirty-money\/","title":{"rendered":"A stronger CEJA will help combat dirty fuel and dirty money"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>We have written on many occasions<\/a> about the need for the Clean Energy Jobs Act (HB3624\/SB2132). This legislation \u2014 widely considered to be the boldest climate bill currently pending in any state \u2014 empowers communities and protects the environment and consumers\u2019 pocketbooks.<\/p>\n

The bill was worthy of passage the moment it was introduced in February 2019. Since then, it has become even more evident that the bill should be adopted, especially in the wake of COVID-19. CEJA would have an enormous impact on the job market at a time of high unemployment, and it will generate billions of dollars<\/a> in state and local tax revenue at a time when these dollars are desperately needed.<\/p>\n

With this much going for it, promoters of CEJA would have been easily justified in leaving the bill as is. This is especially true given that it enjoys overwhelming public support, with 82% of Illinoisans backing the bill in a recent poll<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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But, rather than stand pat, advocates have continued to refine and improve CEJA. Recently, new legislative language was unveiled that strengthens it in several key areas. For example, the bill now includes a new Equity Points System for companies seeking renewable energy, energy efficiency and electric vehicle contracts, and will require companies to commit to equity in hiring, ownership, subcontracting, pay and community involvement. This will ensure that the economic benefits of CEJA are shared in communities across the state.<\/p>\nA stronger CEJA will help combat dirty fuel and dirty money <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n

Another critical area where we have worked to improve the bill is by adding language addressing the issue of \u201cutility accountability.\u201d Recent developments show the desperate need for a new, enforceable system of checks and balances on these big companies.<\/p>\n

Like people around the state, we have been outraged by revelations of a multi-year, multi-million dollar scheme<\/a> undertaken by utility giant ComEd to influence Illinois lawmakers through bribery and other illegal and unethical activities. Utilities are supposed to serve the people, but for too long it\u2019s been the other way around in Illinois. Utilities and polluters have often dominated Illinois energy policies and customers have paid the price. It\u2019s time to change that dynamic and implement much-needed reforms that will protect consumers and the public interest.<\/p>\n

CEJA reforms our regulatory system to ensure that electric utilities truly serve the public interest, operate transparently and are held accountable to Illinois customers and communities. Specifically, CEJA calls for:<\/p>\n