Illinois Advances Clean Energy Goals Amidst Republican Opposition and Economic Concerns
Illinois is actively pursuing ambitious clean energy goals, aiming for 100% clean energy by 2050. This initiative, largely driven by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), includes phasing out private coal generation by 2030 and closing natural gas plants by 2045. Governor JB Pritzker has highlighted the state's investments in renewable energy and the creation of clean energy workforce hubs. The 2026 Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) is set to add 3 gigawatts of battery storage, virtual power plants, and geothermal energy to the state's grid by 2030. Despite these efforts, Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. CD Davidsmeyer, express concerns that these measures will not meet power demand and have already led to increased energy prices for consumers and businesses. The Illinois Power Agency, however, projects that new battery storage could save Ameren and ComEd customers $13.4 billion over two decades, and advocates warn that without CRGA, Illinois would need to impor...
