Illinois Pledges To Shut Fossil Fuel Plants By 2045, Commits Millions Into Solar

Last September, Illinois passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (SB 2408) to spur the state on towards using 100% clean energy by the time 2050 rolls around. 

Since then, the Solar Energy Industries has reported more than 2,000 solar panel installations carried out with enough energy generated to power up to 30,000 homes. To meet this demand, countless jobs have been created, too. 

In addition to this, it was stated that businesses in Illinois are expected to complete upwards of 8,400 rooftop and community solar projects by the end of this year. 

The implementation of the Act also means that the Prairie State coal plant, alongside all other fossil fuel plants in the state, will need to shut down completely by 2045. In particular, Prairie State will have to cut its emissions by 45% by 2038, as reported by Electrek. 

Some other parts of the bill include investing US$580 million annually to increase Illinois’ clean energy output from 9% to 50% by 2040. Over the next decade, some US$78 million a year will be directed to electric transportation, and 45% of these benefits are focused on low-income communities.

Governor Pritzker signs historic energy legislation, cementing Illinois as a national leader in combatting climate change. https://t.co/bktwLQzHAx

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 15, 2021

[via Electrek and PV Magazine, image ID 169423795 © Eddie Rodriquez | Dreamstime.com]