[The following is a paid advertisement.]

SB 1652 can be a cornerstone in building a clean energy economy by stimulating the growth of new “clean and green” businesses and jobs. This includes products and services needed to manufacture and support the smart grid, development and delivery of new energy efficiency programs, and business opportunities from expanded use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

This is a major reason why innovators and environmental groups support SB 1652. Jay Marhoefer, founder and CEO of Intelligent Generation, believes SB 1652 can provide the foundation his company needs to create a market for solar that doesn’t exist today. ‘…It means green jobs that can’t be exported to install and service these (solar) systems, and when the demand is great enough, it probably means local manufacturing jobs for solar panels and batteries.’

Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club in Illinois, says getting serious about the smart grid and SB 1652 can, in his words, ‘be a big spark to the emerging clean energy economy in Illinois at a time when Illinois needs the jobs and economic development most.’

Bottom line: SB1652 is an early stage investment vehicle designed specifically to help Illinois-based companies.