The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

Energy Access (1)

Just and Equitable Access to Energy

CEJA programs for low-income and environmental justice communities

Increasing Access and Equity in the Clean Energy Future

Without careful planning and deliberate policy, the benefits of renewable energy can flow towards existing privilege and wealth. This leaves low-income and environmental justice communities, already suffering disproportionate impacts from climate change and pollution, without access to the clean energy future. CEJA counteracts that trend through policies and programs specifically designed to bring additional benefits to vulnerable and overburdened communities. In all, CEJA will create $2 billion of investments in low-income and environmental justice communities by 2030.

Illinois Solar For All and Low-Income Efficiency Budget Expansion

Increases the carveout for the Illinois Solar for All program budget from $10 million to $30 million per year to increase solar projects in low-income and environmental justice communities. This brings the total anticipated program budget to $50 million per year.

Expands energy efficiency programs for low-income communities to $53 million per year.

EV Access for All Program

Creates the Electric Vehicle (EV) Access for All initiative with an annual budget of $7.5 million per year in funding for investments in electric shuttle pilots in transit deserts, electric vehicle car-sharing programs, and to assist low-income buyers purchasing new or used electric vehicles.

Improvements to Illinois Solar for All Implementation

Addresses concerns with existing program implementation by creating a separate multi-family housing sub- program and by empowering the Program Administrator to help find and qualify Solar for All customers.

Builds important connections between existing low-income energy efficiency programs, deferred maintenance remediation initiatives, and the Solar for All program to provide wrap-around services to customers.

Directs the IPA to prioritize projects that build a path to renewable energy system ownership for low-income renters and homeowners.

Community-focused Energy Solutions

Changes Illinois’ community solar program to preference projects that have deeply-rooted community involvement and ownership.

Empowers local governments to create Community Energy, Climate, and Jobs Plans to create community- based solutions with local community-led jobs and workforce planning that utilizes the U.S. Employment Plan.

Pay-As-You-Save Program

Allows homeowners and renters with low or no credit scores to access on-bill financing and immediate savings for energy improvements like solar and energy efficiency.

Illinois Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund

Creates a nonprofit fund that prioritizes the provision of capital, such as low-interest and zero-interest loans, for renewable energy projects to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and businesses serving low-income, environmental justice, and Black and Brown communities.

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How is it paid for?

The Solar for All Program is funded through a portion of the renewable energy charge that is on customers’ electric bills.

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Why is it urgent?

Low-income communities are particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis. Without the expansion and improvement of clean energy programs designed for low-income communities, the solutions to climate change will continue to be deployed along socio-economic and racial lines. This disparity gathers momentum - the longer we take to leverage these programs through CEJA, the harder it will be to ensure equitable access to the clean energy future.

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