Bill will attract jobs, help environment

At a clean energy summit Wednesday in Chicago, I'll speak to business leaders considering investment opportunities in clean energy - one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in Illinois. At the forefront of many of these executives' minds will be what, exactly, is happening with business-friendly energy policies in Springfield?

Of the energy bills currently under consideration, only one - the Clean Jobs Bill, legislation I'm co-sponsoring - will save consumers $1.8 billion, attract new capital and investment to Illinois and create 32,000 new jobs.

The bill requires utilities to invest in all cost-effective energy efficiency measures. This helps all of us cut energy waste, so we can do more with less. The Clean Jobs Bill also fixes and strengthens the Renewable Portfolio Standard, or RPS.

The RPS ensures we get a certain portion of our energy from clean, renewable resources like wind and solar. The Clean Jobs Bill would strengthen the RPS so that by 2030, we'll source 35 percent of our energy from renewables.

The bill also directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to develop a market-based approach for meeting the standards in the federal Clean Power Plan. This common-sense plan reduces carbon pollution from power plants, while triggering investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy and offering vulnerable consumers much-needed assistance with utility bills.

According to a report released by Environmental Entrepreneurs and other business groups, clean energy companies of all sizes employ more than 104,000 people in Illinois, with a 15-month growth rate of nearly 8 percent. That's more than accounting and real estate combined.

Clean energy saves us all money and creates good jobs. To give businesses the kind of market certainty they need to continue to invest in Illinois, our legislature and governor must pass the Clean Jobs Bill.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz

Northbrook