Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The General Assembly failed to act on Governor Pritzker’s clean energy and climate proposal, despite broad legislative and public support and months of negotiations and working group discussions. A vote to create jobs and economic opportunity in clean energy and clean transportation, particularly for communities that need them most, was indefinitely postponed after continued objections from Illinois’ largest polluter, the Prairie State Energy Campus.
In response, Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin released the following statement:
“It is beyond disappointing that in the face of three crises of jobs, justice, and climate, Illinois’ largest polluter was again able to stall this plan to deliver clean air, jobs, and equity to Illinois communities. If Springfield listens to communities across the state, and not coal lobbyists in the capitol, we can deliver prosperity, ratepayer savings, utility ethics reforms, and action on climate change. We are delayed, but not defeated, and our work to deliver a better future to Illinois will continue until we’ve secured a plan to get our state to a 100% clean energy future by transitioning away from fossil fuels.
“It is crystal clear that the only energy bill that can pass is one that meets this moment with firm deadlines for decarbonizing our electric grid, wealth building opportunities for communities of color, and driving Illinois toward electric vehicles. We applaud Governor Pritzker for proposing such a plan, similar to the Clean Energy Jobs Act, and standing up to the coal polluters trying to block it. We’ll keep working with the Governor and stakeholders to secure agreement on that plan, and hope lawmakers are ready to return to Springfield to enact such an agreement as soon as possible.”
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.