History was made earlier this week when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions by nearly one-third by 2030.
Today in Chicago, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (of which CUB is a member) to applaud the federal plan as the first step to cleaning the air, creating thousands of jobs, and saving electricity customers money.
“This is a coalition that won’t be stopped,” Rep. Bobby Rush said of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition. Political, business, and faith leaders also urged state legislators to pass the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill (SB1485/HB2607) — the only legislation currently pending that could help Illinois meet the new federal goals.
“We have a moral obligation to leave our grandchildren with cleaner air to breathe,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley
Given Illinois’ individual target goal of reducing emissions by about 31 percent, the urgency of passing the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill could not be clearer. The bill would boost the share of energy Illinois generates from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to 35% by 2030, while doubling energy efficiency standards by 2025.
In doing so, the legislation would also generate tens of thousands of new jobs and save Illinois consumers at least $1.6 billion, according to CUB’s analysis.
“It took us a very long time to get to this day,” Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said of the federal Clean Power Plan.
Attorney General Madigan emphasized the role that renewable energy and energy efficiency would play in meeting the federal goals and ensuring that energy bills are affordable for all individuals. “Utility bills matter to everyone,” she said, and that is “especially true if you are on a low or moderate income.”
The bill has 58 sponsors in the House and 26 sponsors in the Senate, but is still pending in the Illinois Legislature. If you haven’t already, ask your legislators to pass the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill.
You can see more pictures from today’s conference below.
CUB Executive Director David Kolata speaks to IL Attorney General Lisa Madigan after today’s press conference on the Illinois Clean Jobs bill.
Reporters filled the room to hear Illinois leaders discuss the federal Clean Power Plan
