For Immediate Release
Oct. 28, 2019
Media Contact: Maura Possley
maura@boycepossley.com
708-369-7090
Coalition Releases CEJA Economic Impact Report That Also Finds Legislation Will Create $6 Billion in New State & Local Tax Revenue & $1.5 Billion Annually in Direct Local Workforce Investment
Chicago — The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition today released an economic impact report detailing significant new economic benefit for the state of Illinois under the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) pending in the General Assembly, including $39 billion new private investment in Illinois through 2030, $6 billion new state and local tax revenue, and $1.5 billion new private investment in the local workforce each year.
Sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Cristina Castro, CEJA (HB 3624/SB 2132) would invigorate the state’s clean energy sector while ensuring that all communities join in the resulting economic gains. Specifically, the bill would move Illinois to 100% renewable energy by 2050, cut carbon pollution from the state’s power sector by 2030, and create steps to electrify the transportation sector. At the same time, the legislation would help keep a lid on energy bills and lead to economic benefits, particularly in the form of new jobs for communities that need them the most.
The CEJA Economic Impact Report released today details the $39 billion in steady investment that CEJA will create in Illinois in the form of new wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles, battery storage, electrical equipment, home and business retrofits, labor, and workforce.
In addition, CEJA will generate a total of $6 billion in state and local tax revenue over the next 20 years through tax payments from renewable energy developers on equipment and supplies, and income as well as operation costs and land-use property tax payments.
“A clean and equitable energy future will benefit people in communities in every part of Illinois by delivering lower energy bills, reliable electricity and new jobs,” said state Rep. Ann Williams, CEJA sponsor. “Illinois can lead the way in the development and use of renewable energy sources – fighting against climate change while generating a huge economic benefit to our communities and state overall.”
“Over the last two years, we have held community conversations across Illinois about a clean energy future that benefits everyone, especially communities that need it most,” said state. Sen. Cristina Castro, CEJA sponsor. “With the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Illinois will lower energy bills, create more jobs and foster significant economic gains for local communities and the state.”
Other economic benefits detailed in the report include:
- $11 billion in total private investment in rooftop solar across Illinois, including $3 billion of investment in central and southern Illinois.
- $9 billion in private investment in large scale solar development around the state, including $4 billion in central and southern Illinois.
- Significant wind power development — enough to power 2 million Illinois homes — that will create $11 billion in private investment across the state.
- Investment in electric vehicles while creating $1.5 billion in investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, focusing on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, transit and school buses, large vehicle fleets and innovative programs for low income communities.
- Over $4 billion in private investment in energy storage to reduce peak demand on the grid and help integrate renewable energy sources.
- Expansion of gas utility energy efficiency programs to create significant customer savings, while bringing in over $2.5 billion in energy efficiency private investment in Illinois.
The legislation is an outgrowth of listening sessions held by the Coalition across Illinois in 2018 and 2019, involving more than one thousand participants. These “Listen. Lead. Share.” events gathered input on clean energy issues that helped craft and inform the legislation.
The bill builds upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), a law enacted in late 2016 that increased the amount of solar and wind energy produced in Illinois while saving customers money on their bills. The new legislation, CEJA, would spur enough new wind and solar development to power 4 million homes, more than four times the amount accomplished by FEJA.
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info@ilcleanjobs.org