- Published: 14 September 2021
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a monumental piece of legislation Monday that will combat climate change, and State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) was excited to support it.
“I am so grateful that after much negotiation, we were able to pass a plan that puts the state on a path to renewable, reliable and affordable energy,” Van Pelt said. “This plan both saves and creates jobs for Illinoisans, which will be a huge relief to many households across the state.”
Senate Bill 2408 establishes several provisions to reach a statewide goal of 50% clean energy by 2040 and 100% clean energy by 2050, including the closure of all privately owned large coal plants by 2030. All privately owned natural gas plants must either repower to a carbon-free source, like green hydrogen, or close by 2045.
By keeping carbon-free nuclear power plants open, approximately 28,000 direct and indirect jobs will be saved. Further, increasing Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standards target to 50% will create more than 50,000 new jobs.
This legislation also establishes various workforce development programs, including the Returning Residents Clean Job Training Program, which will train incarcerated people who are preparing to reenter society for jobs in the solar and energy efficiency sectors.
“With the worldwide climate crisis worsening, I’m happy that as a state, we have begun to move in a direction that is better for our environment,” Van Pelt said. “This is the largest investment in renewable energy in state history, which is necessary to preserve the vital resources of our planet.”
Senate Bill 2408 moves to the governor’s desk.
