Salesforce invests in wind farm as it grows in Chicago area

By Matt Steffen | August 30, 2018 |

Corilyn Shropshire | Chicago Tribune Tech firm Salesforce said it will back the construction of a new renewable energy wind farm in McLean County, a project that has been in the planning stages for 10 years. The Bright Stalk Wind Farm will be built near Bloomington-Normal, and owned and operated by EDP Renewables North America,…

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Statement from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition Regarding the VW Settlement Plan

By Matt Steffen | August 29, 2018 |

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) released its final plan today to invest the $108 million settlement the state received from Volkswagen. The plan was revised after advocates called for more public input in the process. The revised plan includes a significant increase in investments toward electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a reduction in administrative costs,…

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Solar companies flock to Illinois, bringing jobs, enthusiasm and some questions

By Matt Steffen | August 28, 2018 |

Kari Lydersen | Energy News Network The family company Wellspring Components started four generations ago to fabricate metal for horse-drawn buggies for Amish families in Indiana. Today, its offshoot Wellspring Solar is among a growing number of national and Midwestern companies launching new solar operations in Illinois, thanks to incentives under the state’s Future Energy…

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Editorial | Champaign County moves into solar-power age

By Matt Steffen | August 26, 2018 |

The Editorial Board Thanks to the 2016 adoption of the Illinois Future Jobs Act, counties all over Illinois are acting on solar-farm ordinances and proposed solar farms. Champaign County joined the parade last week with the adoption of a solar-farm ordinance. At the time the Legislature passed the Illinois Future Jobs Act in December 2016,…

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