Illinois' economy will benefit from clean energy

It is a rare moment when we can take advantage of the array of energy proposals in Springfield, coupled with proposed changes from Washington that present an opportunity for the private sector to create jobs and save people money, rather than stifle job growth and add to the financial burden of Illinois families.

Last spring, there were three major energy bills filed, Clean Jobs bill, Future Energy Plan, and Low Carbon Portfolio Standards, all of which address different aspects energy efficiency and job creation for 21st Century energy sources.

Under Gov. Rauner's leadership, we have the chance to create a forward-looking energy policy that fosters innovation, captures new investment and creates thousands of jobs, while securing health and environmental benefits for our constituents and in generations to follow.

We believe the best approach to achieving these goals would be to fully utilize Illinois' clean energy technologies.

Illinois begins with a solid clean-energy foundation, already accounting for 104,000 private sector jobs today. By passing the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill (SB1485/HB2607), we can dramatically boost the state's renewable energy and energy efficiency industries and create 32,000 new jobs when fully implemented in 2021, jobs that would last well into the next decade. It would also promote much-needed diversity in the state's energy portfolio. By installing industrial-scale energy efficiency technology encouraged and rewarded by this legislation, Illinois consumers can cut their electricity bills and save nearly $1.6 billion by 2030.

Cutting wasted energy should be a priority in Illinois. Leveraging the full power of the smart grid, the Future Energy Plan offers critical innovation surrounding energy efficiency, microgrids, electric vehicles and community solar. Through the Future Energy Plan, ComEd would use voltage optimization - energy efficiency that monitors and optimizes grid efficiency to the power supply to homes and businesses - to reduce energy consumption by up to 1.9 billion kWh, decreasing CO2 emissions by up to 2.8 billion pounds. Energy efficiency programs run by ComEd have already saved consumers $1 billion.

Too often, the promise of large-scale infrastructure is accompanied by a large price tag for taxpayers. Happily, that is not the case here. Development is being spurred by private investors who recognize that the rewards of this combined approach are simply too great to ignore.

Make no mistake, a clean-energy infrastructure will be built in America; the question is - where will it be built and which states will create the jobs and enjoy the economic benefits? Competition from states like Iowa, Minnesota and Oklahoma is already leaving Illinois behind in the race for lucrative investments and good-paying jobs. We cannot waste another day.

Timely action is necessary. While Illinois' clean energy industry is strong, competition among states is intense. An announcement of Illinois' intention to implement strong energy infrastructure legislation would send a clear signal to investors that Illinois is poised to welcome the development of a robust clean energy infrastructure.

Carbon pollution causes risk to our economy and our communities. Moving to cleaner energy sources will reduce this risk.

We firmly support Gov. Rauner's goal of making Illinois a more attractive place to do business. An embrace of clean energy, as contemplated by these bills, can do exactly that while cutting consumers' electricity bills, creating thousands of jobs and bringing billions of dollars in private capital to Illinois. It would make our state a leader in this rapidly growing field and help lead the way to a healthier environment for our children and grandchildren. We urge Gov. Rauner and our colleagues to join us - and recognize that the time for action is now.

State Reps. Mike Fortner, Ron Sandack and Mike Tryon are Republicans from West Chicago, Downers Grove and Crystal Lake, respectively.