Illinois Voters Want To Go Carbon-Free. It's Time To Make It Happen.
By Illinois State Rep. Will Guzzardi
Four years ago, Illinois passed transformative clean energy legislation. The Future Energy Jobs Act invested billions of dollars into energy efficiency, renewables, and job training.
By all accounts, it's been a big success. Illinois went from being one of the least desirable markets for green investment in the Midwest to one of the nation's hottest.
But we all knew it didn't go far enough. Now's the time to push our state to 100% renewable energy, creating green jobs and equitable growth along the way.
That's why I'm a co-sponsor of the Clean Energy Jobs Act. CEJA will focus on electrifying our transportation sector, eliminating carbon from power generation this decade, and creating a pathway to a fully renewable grid within 30 years. It will also promote investment specifically in communities of color with workforce training and contractor assistance.
The people are with us on this. According to recent Data for Progress surveys, 59% of Illinoisans, including a majority of Independents and over a third of Republicans, support these proposals, even when they hear the arguments against them. Only 28% of Illinois residents opposed the CEJA provisions.
Of course, the legislative landscape unfolds against a complex backdrop this year. Our largest power utility recently admitted to bribing our previous Speaker of the House in an attempt to win favorable treatment in previous energy legislation.
For that reason, and so many others, we can't let big utilities dictate the terms of this deal. We need the most aggressive solutions available: for our economy, for our rate-payers, and for the planet.
That's what CEJA offers, and that's what voters are clamoring for. It's time for the legislature to deliver.
Will Guzzardi (@WillGuzzardi) is an Illinois State Representative representing Illinois’ 39th District.