[The following is a paid advertisement.]

New Report Entitled “Investing in Illinois” Shines Light on Significant Economic Benefits of “Shovel-Ready” Wind Farms

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS –As many as 20,000 jobs would be created with the development of the 3,200 MW of utility-scale wind generation currently permitted in Illinois, according to a report from three leading wind energy organizations. The report—entitled “Investing in Illinois” and released by the Illinois Wind Energy Association (IWEA), American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), and Wind on the Wires (WOW) — is being released at a crucial time, as state lawmakers consider legislation to overhaul the state’s electric market. The study highlights why any major energy bill passed this year must include provisions that accelerate development in Illinois of clean, affordable, homegrown renewable energy.

Using the U.S. Department of Energy’s Job and Economic Development Impact model, the report finds that if all 3,200 MW of the current permitted wind projects were developed in Illinois, the state would likely:

· create over 19,000 new jobs in construction, manufacturing and maintenance;

· generate more than $930 million in construction wages and $34 million in annual operations and maintenance wages;

· produce over $32 million in annual local taxes, approximately 70 percent of which would go directly to local school districts;

· generate over $9 million in annual lease payments to Illinois farmers; and

· spur millions of dollars in orders for local supply chaincompanies working in tower and gear manufacturing, transportation, engineering and materials services.

The full text of the report is available at: www.WindforIllinois.org/news