Environmental

Central Illinois Community Groups Hold Clean Energy Forum in Peoria


State Senator Dave Koehler and State Representative Jehan Gordon Join Diverse Group of Labor, Energy, Environmental and Health Leaders to Discuss Clean Energy Jobs in Central Illinois

PEORIA, Ill.–(ENEWSPF)–April 17, 2014.  Yesterday, State senator Dave Koehler and State Representative Jehan Gordon joined the Sierra Club, the Blue Green Alliance, Citizen’s Utility Board and Clean Energy Trust to host a forum at the Peoria Labor Temple highlighting clean energy policies and discussing opportunities to bring clean energy projects and jobs to Central Illinois. The forum also focused on pending legislation that could bolster Illinois’ growing clean energy economy.

“Clean energy is already driving job growth in Central Illinois,” said Senator Dave Koehler. “This forum presented an opportunity for our entire community to come together and brainstorm ways to make our clean energy economy even stronger.”

Since it passed in 2007, Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standard has set clean energy goals for the state and created more than 20,000 jobs, cut wholesale power prices by $177 million dollars per year, and curbed more than 5 million tons of air pollution. State lawmakers are currently discussing a pending bill that would make important adjustments to the Renewable Portfolio Standard and better incentivize clean energy projects around the state.

“Wind and solar manufacturing, installation and maintenance represent strong, family-sustaining jobs for Central Illinois,” said Patrick Whitty, Director of Programs, Clean Energy Trust. “We’re only just beginning to unlock the potential of these industries. Today’s forum allowed many different groups to come together around advancing this economic opportunity for our communities.”

“Clean energy is a smart investment for Illinois,” said Bryan McDaniel from Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB). ”Not only has Illinois’ smart clean energy leadership helped reduce pollution, but it has also saved Illinois families a lot of money.”

“When we grow our renewable energy resources, it means cleaner air and better health for the state of Illinois,” said Jack Darin, Director, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter. “Clean energy is a win-win for our economy and our environment.”

“Clean energy job potential grows every day,” said Tom Conway with BlueGreen Alliance. “Many jobs related to clean energy will be in modernizing the electrical grid to reduce the amount of energy lost throughout the system and make it easier for people to install rooftop solar and move wind energy to urban areas.”

Yesterday’s clean energy forum followed a similar forum hosted last night in Waukegan by State Senator Terry Link and State Representative Rita Mayfield.

Source: sierraclub.org

 


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