Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition applauds passage of the Future Energy Jobs Bill

CHICAGO, Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With passage Thursday of the Future Energy Jobs Bill, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition issued the following statement:

"The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition made creating thousands of jobs in every part of Illinois, saving consumers money on their bills and combating the threat of climate change our core operating principles.  Today, we are gratified that these goals are now within reach thanks to the Illinois General Assembly passing the Future Energy Jobs Bill.

"This represents a victory for residential customers who will save nearly $15 per year according to Citizens Utility Board (CUB), for businesses who enjoy some of the lowest rates in the nation due to energy efficiency, for people in low-income communities who are currently left out of the clean energy economy, and for every citizen who suffers from respiratory and other health issues exacerbated by burning fossil fuels.  By fixing the state's broken Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), and greatly expanding the state's highly successful energy efficiency programs, Illinois can now compete head-to-head with any other state in the nation in the race to build a sustainable clean energy economy-- and win.

"This bill includes elements of difficult compromise, but ultimately this is a tremendous victory for Illinois. We commend members of the General Assembly from both sides of the aisle for their passage of the bill and we urge Governor Rauner to sign it to jump start Illinois' clean energy economy."

SOURCE Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition