Global Warming News

Environment Illinois Calls on Congress to Pass Federal Clean Energy Legislation this Year

Illinois rated a “rising star” for its recent moves to increase renewable energy and save electricity, according to a report released today by Environment Illinois.

The Environment America report, “America’s Clean Energy Stars: State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future” praised Illinois officials for adopting bold policies to promote clean energy that can provide a model for the entire nation.  In releasing the report, Environment Illinois and several state legislators called on Congress to follow the lead of the states by passing a strong energy bill that increases renewable energy, fuel economy and energy conservation.  

“Illinois and other states are rising to our nation’s energy challenge by taking action to reduce energy consumption and promote clean renewable energy.  We’re here to thank Representatives Currie, May and Ryg, Senators Dillard and Radogno, and Attorney General Madigan for helping to lead here at home,” said Rebecca Stanfield, Director of Environment Illinois.  “Now it is time for Congress to set a clean energy course for the nation, using the leading states as examples,” she continued.

In developing the report, Environment America researchers looked at five areas of cutting-edge clean energy policy adopted by the state governments: renewable electricity standards, the Clean Cars Program, utility energy efficiency programs, energy efficiency standards for appliances, and building energy codes. 

Illinois is one of nine states – Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Wisconsin – highlighted as “rising star” clean energy states in recognition of their strong recent actions to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources of energy.  There were 7 gold star states, and 5 silver star states. 

“I am proud of the progress we’ve made in Illinois this year,” said Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie.  “I believe the General Assembly is ready to build on this success so that we can become a gold star state in the next report,” she continued. 

“I am leading the charge to adopt clean cars standards in Illinois, just as 12 other states have already done,” added State Representative Karen May of Highland Park.  “Clean car standards will put the brakes on global warming while saving Illinoisans $3 billion a year on their gas bills and that’s a win-win for Illinois,” she continued. 

This spring, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed a strong renewable energy standard which will increase the amount of power we get from clean renewable energy to 10% by 2015 and 25% by 2025.  The same legislation set the first ever Illinois utility energy efficiency standard, which requires our utilities to use energy efficiency programs to lower demand throughout the state.  This program is expected to save about a billion kilowatt-hours of power per year, approximately the amount that 100,000 people would use in a year. 

“Attorney General Madigan is working to make sure the Illinois Commerce Commission and the utilities implement the new renewable energy and energy efficiency standards in a manner that saves consumers money on their electric bills and that achieves maximum environmental benefit,” said Susan Hedman, a senior assistant attorney general with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.  “Last week Attorney General Madigan also joined legal actions by the State of California to force the federal government to allow states to require reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from cars.”  

“State leaders have begun to move us in the right direction on energy, but we must do a lot more at every level of government,” said State Representative Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills). “Congress should pass a strong energy bill that saves energy, saves oil by increasing fuel economy for cars and light trucks to at least 35 MPG and increases America’s use of clean, energy  requiring, at least 15% of our electricity to come from renewable energy”