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* Utility Dive…
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition on Thursday announced a comprehensive clean energy bill that would bring the state to 100% renewable energy by 2050 with a carbon free power sector by 2030.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act (SB 2132) calls for the procurement of at least 16,500 MW of solar and 7,300 MW of wind by 2031 to reach 50% renewables. It’s divided into four “pillars” — reaching 100% renewables by 2050, gaining a 100% carbon free power sector by 2030, drastically reducing emissions from the transportation sector and creating thousands of clean energy jobs. […]
The state’s original clean energy mandate was to generate 25% of its electricity from renewables by 2025. Gov. J.B. Pritzker ran his campaign in part on doubling the mandate, making the new bill, introduced one month into his term, a more ambitious undertaking. […]
The bill also aims to drastically reduce emissions by expanding electric vehicle infrastructure and incentives, with a goal to reduce pollution levels equivalent to getting 1 million gas vehicles off the road. It also directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to place more stringent emissions caps on power plants ramping them down each year until they reach zero emissions in 2030.
* Natural Resources Defense Council…
Putting more renewables on the electric grid also makes it easier to clean up our transportation sector, which is now the largest source of carbon pollution in Illinois. Although electric vehicles already pollute less than gasoline-powered vehicles, as the electricity we use to charge those vehicles gets cleaner, we can reduce pollution even more. At the same time, electric vehicles paired with smart charging technologies can help our electric grid run more efficiently. The Clean Energy Jobs Act aims to take advantage of these opportunities while removing the equivalent of one million gasoline-powered vehicles off the road.
New incentives and infrastructure to support electric vehicles would help spur this process, including support for “light duty” electric vehicles like cars and trucks, which can save drivers money and create 70 percent less pollution than similar gas-powered vehicles. It would also include incentives to transition towards electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which is critical in part because many of today’s heavy-duty vehicles run on diesel and cause serious health problems for people in communities with heavy truck traffic. The bill also pairs electric vehicle incentives with smart charging programs to ensure that electric vehicles can charge at “off-peak” hours (such as late at night) when electricity is relatively cheap, plentiful and clean. Finally: in addition to expanding electric vehicles, Illinois should expand non-motorized transportation options like walking, biking and mass transit, which could be included in a capital bill.
That would certainly cut in to Motor Fuel Tax receipts.
* KFVS TV…
If passed, an estimated 40 million solar panels and 2,500 wind turbines would be installed, adding an estimated $30 billion to Illinois infrastructure according to the release.
* Solar dot points…
* Requires that 45% of power come from renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2050;
* Continues growing rooftop solar by expanding the existing Adjustable Block Program and rebate program to compensate homeowners and businesses for adding solar to the grid;
* Ensures the continued growth of community solar;
* Expands the Illinois Solar for All program, which works to provide access to solar for low- and moderate-income communities;
* Requires utilities to engage in a transparent and comprehensive distribution system planning process to identify opportunities to use customer-sited distributed solar and storage to improve grid reliability and reduce grid maintenance costs; and
* Requires the Illinois Power Authority to procure capacity to meet the state’s resource adequacy requirements, thereby mitigating PJM market rules that serve to prop up fossil fuel plants and delay emission reductions.
* Low income help…
The new bill would incentivize “on-site distributed generation in projects that are 100% low-income subscriber owned, including low-income households, not-for-profit organizations, and affordable housing owners, as well as projects 100% owned by households located in environmental justice communities,” as a bill summary notes. […]
The bill creates an electric vehicle program targeted specifically at low-income communities, including through low-cost electric vehicle car-sharing and “carbon free last mile” programs where electric shuttles or cars, bikes and scooters would be available to help commuters get from home and work to public transit hubs.
And the bill calls for a “just transition” to help communities and workers where coal plants may close or the energy transition otherwise has an economic impact. […]
The bill would create “energy empowerment zones” with tax incentives and state economic development resources aimed at supporting workers and communities where coal plants close, and cleaning up and reusing the sites. […]
The bill calls for the creation of a $25 million clean jobs workforce hub, wherein labor unions, employers, frontline organizations and other stakeholders would work together to train and provide direct assistance to communities of color and underserved communities in accessing renewable energy-related jobs.
It also calls for an “Expanding Clean Energy Entrepreneurship and Contractor Incubator” program to provide support to “disadvantaged businesses and contractors,” including through low-cost lending and help with insurance and other financial requirements.
* Citizens Utility Board…
The Clean Energy Jobs Act is the only legislation in Springfield focused on keeping a lid on energy costs for Illinois utility customers. For instance, it would defend against a threat by out-of-state fossil fuel power generators that want to slam most Illinois consumers with higher electricity bills. Because the declining price of clean energy has eaten into their profits, for years now those generators have been on a campaign to change the rules of the PJM capacity market, undermine Illinois’ successful energy reforms, and make most electric customers in Illinois pay more for power they don’t need. To answer that threat, the Clean Energy Jobs Act would put the Illinois Power Agency fully in charge of the state’s clean energy policy, creating the opportunity to save consumers money while greatly expanding renewable energy investment in the state.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act would boost gas and electric efficiency programs, reduce peak electricity demand, and take advantage of the falling cost of wind and solar power. Such improvements are always good for consumers, proving that Illinois can keep utility bills in check as it moves down the path to 100 percent clean energy.
* This is a brand new bill and it will undoubtedly be amended further…
Although the bills have many sponsors and much support across the state, Castro addressed the concerns with how ambitious they appear.
“This legislation outlines our goals, these are not set deadlines,” Castro said. “We want to strive to meet these goals, but most importantly we want to see progress in our state by using more renewable energy, even if it may take a little longer than expected.”
Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) is the lone Republican sponsor.
…Adding… Under review…
A spokeswoman for Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in an emailed statement: “Governor Pritzker applauds the Clean Jobs Coalition’s previous work, and looks forward to reviewing the bill.”
* Related…
* How this ComEd power play is blocking an archrival - The Chicago electricity giant is taking extraordinary steps to kill a deal to sell 20 miles of high-voltage lines in Rochelle to the nation’s largest wind-power generator. Here’s why.
* As Electric Cars Shift Into Mainstream, The Corn Belt Begins To Ponder A Post-Ethanol Future
* With smart grid completed, ComEd budgets as if it never happened - A new four-year capital plan shows ComEd spending even more per year than it did on its smart grid. That means higher rates, but this time ComEd is short on specifics of what we’re paying for.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 11:57 am
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=That would certainly cut in to Motor Fuel Tax receipts=
Does this proposal address how electric cars and bikes will pay for road maintenance? How much does an electric car weigh? {Sigh}
Comment by {Sigh} Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 12:12 pm
The Left is unhinged from reality. Not only is this physically impossible to achieve with the technology that exists it will increase everyone’s power bills, destroy jobs and threaten our electrical grip by relying on unreliable forms of electrical generation.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 12:13 pm
Or, we can just tweet about climate change.
Both could work.
Comment by Ok Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 12:16 pm
100% from renewable energy by 2050? Just crazy. Solar is remarkably inefficient (wind as much, if not more so), and both require significant backup from non-renewable energy sources. Cause sometimes the sun don’t shine. Then there is the massive open space that will have to be dedicated to solar panels and wind farms. Both of which have environmental harms and cause issues for animals, particularly migratory birds. Just a waste of time.
Comment by anon Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 12:45 pm
I am all for renewable energy as one source of energy but to delude ourselves that it will be the only source is foolhardy.
To my understanding Illinois gets most of it’s electricity from nuclear and has a surplus of it. So what’s the problem?
From studies I have read on both sides of the political spectrum the only way so far we have to maintain something close to our way of life will be mostly nuclear with a mix of renewables, hydro, etc.
Lastly what about the rest of the world and their “clean energy” needs? I am no expert on rare earth metals, etc. but I am sure they are a finite source i.e. limited quantities. so is there enough for all countries?
Some new photovoltaic technology uses less-expensive and abundant metals such as zinc and copper so maybe that will help.
Something is not right with the hyperbola of the “all renewable energy” push. Hmm. So then it is a matter of asking who benefits? i.e. follow the money.
Comment by Big jer Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 1:16 pm
The reason people don’t buy climate change is that democrats keep pushing insanely idiotic proposals that never meet expectations and almost always just line pockets of democrat donors.
We need to clean up our act on the environment, but costly unrealistic proposals are not helping. 2100 would be a good goal, but you need to do more interim work.
We can use IL coal if done properly at a much more efficient rate. Step up use of local coal, but invest some of these long term clean energy programs in coal communities for an economic transition, rather than trying to just tell communities they have accept death based on projections that will never happen.
Comment by the Patriot Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 1:19 pm
Please stop naysaying renewables when you have no idea what you are talking about.
The dot points mentions storage. Grid storage systems have been under development for some time and a few systems are being sold today…. and I’m not even talking about those silly Tesla systems… I’m talking about flow batteries. Liquid iron flow batteries have near zero degradation over time. You just replace the pumps when they fail every 20 years or so.
And very near to large scale production are molten salt batteries which are even more efficient, also have near zero degradation over time, and have no moving parts.
Comment by Lucky than Good Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 1:35 pm
The weakest link in renewable energy is the storage system. Batteries do not have the storage capacity to be cost effective when the sun is unavailable and the wind is too calm.
Flooded Lead Acid, Sealed Lead Acid and Lithium Ion batteries are what we have currently for storing the energy produced and so far they are woefully inadequate and not cost effective for large scale use. Small off the grid applications are about the only option currently. To power a small town, much less an area like Chicago or New York demands a better technology for energy storage. Only when we have more emphasis on battery storage can the idea really take off. Tesla, Aquion and others are working in this direction and hopefully they make some breakthroughs in the technology. I hope they find it soon.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 1:55 pm
About 5 minutes ago load in the PJM market (which includes the Chicago land area) was 103,000 Mega Watts of which wind and other renewables are supplying 1007 MW with Natural Gas, Nuclear and Coal supplying the other 102,000 MW.
In the downstate market MISO the load was about 71,000 MW’s with wind and other renewables making up about 1,300 MW and Coal (@53% or about 37,500 MW), Natural Gas and Nuclear making up the remaining 69,700 MW.
A long way to go to get to 100% renewable.
Comment by nadia Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 1:59 pm
“A long way to go to get to 100% renewable.”
No better time to start than the present.
Comment by Ok Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 3:00 pm
“No better time to start than the present.”
Agreed.
Comment by nadia Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 3:38 pm
This bill sounds more aspirational than practical policy.
Streamline the permitting process for energy projects. Watch technology to see how it develops. Both generation and storage are improving rapidly.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 3:54 pm
For batteries and storage, keep in mind that they involve extracting of non-renewable minerals using non-renewable energy sources.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 4:07 pm
What’s that way down there on page 360? A carbon cap? No revenue for the state from cap and trade that could be used for transitioning coal plants to something else and providing communities they’re in with funds for schools due to lost tax revenue. Nope, Clean Jobs Coalition brings you a straight carbon cap. Makes all that rhetoric in the first 100 pages about “just transition” ring hollow.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 4:17 pm
==destroy jobs==
Wind farms and solar fields don’t install themselves.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 4:24 pm
=== How much does an electric car weigh?===
Cars don’t do much if any damage to asphalt and concrete roads. Semi-trucks are the culprit there.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 1, 19 @ 4:28 pm