by: Erin Morrison
The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) was proposed in Illinois in February of 2019. It follows the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) which was passed in 2016. Both acts encourage the use of more clean and renewable energy and are intended to create jobs in Illinois. The difference is that CEJA will have a clearer plan than FEJA did.
According to the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition and Citizens Utility Board, FEJA increased the clean energy industry in Illinois and lowered our electric bills. FEJA made Illinois a leader for the U.S. in clean energy. In 2018, the amount of jobs in clean energy increased by 37%, but in the U.S., jobs in clean energy decreased by 3.2%. CEJA is intended to make sure the number of jobs in clean energy increase rather than decrease in Illinois.
In an interview with Amanda Pankau, the Energy Campaign Coordinator for Prairie Rivers Network, which is a local non-profit to protect water resources and wildlife, Pankau mentioned that she split CEJA into four categories so the act could be utilized in the most effective manner.
The first pillar is to put Illinois on a path to using 100% renewable energy by 2050. Much of this would include wind power from wind turbines and solar power from solar panels. The University of Illinois has been approved to build a second solar farm adding 54 acres to its original 21.
According to a news release published by the U of I, it is said that, “With both solar farms in production, the U of I will be the third-largest user of renewable power generated on-site, for higher-education facilities in the country.” Under CEJA and the Illinois Solar for All program, which makes solar more affordable and accessible for people who otherwise would not be able to use solar power, the access and use of solar power would increase.
According to Pankau, the second pillar of CEJA is the decarbonization of the electric sector by 2030, and the third pillar is replacing the equivalent of one million gas and diesel vehicles for electric ones. Both pillars would cut carbon pollution levels that are contributing to the climate crisis. Pankau said that 2019 was the wettest year for Illinois and that every county in Illinois was declared an agricultural disaster zone; CEJA hopes to combat climate crises like this.
The fourth pillar for the act is to create more jobs in clean energy. Many of these jobs would go to communities that the act is helping the most which includes communities with a coal plant that has ceased operation, economically disadvantaged communities, and communities of color.
“Parkland has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2060, installing more water and energy saving devices”
Pankau also told the Prospectus that CEJA is the only clean energy act developed with grassroots. It has many grassroots supporters, and it was created by using feedback from people all around Illinois. In Champaign’s district, CEJA is co-sponsored and supported by Senator Scott Bennet and Representative Carol Ammons.
Parkland College is addressing the climate crisis by supporting a sustainable campus committee and a Parkland Students for Sustainability Club co-advised by Chris Berti and Amy Frasca. Parkland has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2060, installing more water and energy saving devices, and has also become one of the first colleges in Illinois to be a licensed provider of the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP.)
Currently, action is being taken on the climate crisis in ways like the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which is intended to help improve public health and minimize pollution. It is projected that the economy will improve because of the jobs created, but also because of reduced energy costs for Illinois residents. For more information about CEJA, please visit the Clean Energy Jobs Act at https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/clean-energy-jobs-act/.
