Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org, 217-390-9394
Illinois -- On the heels of major closure announcements from coal companies operating in Illinois, including the announcement last week by Peabody coal that it will be closing mining facilities that will impact hundreds of workers, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition will be holding a telephone press conference to detail policy proposals for a robust climate and economic transition plan that helps impacted workers and communities adapt in this energy transition and forge resilient, economic futures. This fall Vistra Energy has announced planned closures for five Illinois coal plants the impacts of which will be felt by workers and tax bases in Peoria, Canton, Havana, Hennepin, and Coffeen furthering the urgency for state policy to support transitioning communities.
The Coalition’s proposed policy, developed through ongoing conversations with thousands of community stakeholders over the last two years, is being drafted as an amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). CEJA is the only legislation that offers a comprehensive plan to grow a 100% clean energy economy that puts communities, workers, and our environment first.
What: Telephone press conference announcing policy proposals, and heightened urgency for an Illinois transition plan and bold climate action
When: Wednesday, October 23 at 11:00am CST
Where: Press call in number: 877-876-9177
Conference ID: “CLEAN”
Who: Speakers include:
State Senator Scott Bennett
State Representative Rita Mayfield
Tracy Fox, Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance/Illinois People’s Action
Other community voices
A recording will be available upon request within 24 hours of the press conference. Please contact renner.barsella@sierraclub.org for copies.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.