clean energy legislation Archives | Citizens Utility Board

Update for ComEd customers: Bigger CEJA credit on the way

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:31:48 +0000

As we’ve reported before, in a year of spiking electricity prices, Commonwealth Edison bills have included a per kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit made possible by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). This credit has given ComEd customers some relief in a tough year, and it will get even higher for a few months in 2026. Here’s a summary: The credit will be an estimated average of roughly $13 a month, around January through May of 2026, but the actual amount will depend on the customer’s usage. (CUB is working on getting an actual per-kWh amount for the credit from ComEd and to nail down the exact timeline of the credit.) The credit, for both residential and commercial customers, will be included in an existing line item on bills: the Carbon Free Energy Resource Adjustment (CFERA). Note: In ComEd tariffs, it’s called the Carbon-Free Resource Adjustment. More Background: CEJA created a line item on ComEd bills called the Carbon Free Energy Resource Adjustment (CFERA), which was designed to support carbon-free energy produced by Illinois nuclear power plants. But under a provision pushed by consumer advocates, this adjustment becomes a bill credit when energy prices go above a certain level, like we’re seeing now with the PJM capacity market. The credit is getting bigger in January, thanks to Inflation Reduction Act production tax credits that were issued to nuclear generators. Under CEJA, a tax windfall like this must be shared with utility customers. The IRA was gutted last summer by the reconciliation bill, but some benefits from that legislation still linger, and this is an example. Bottom line: CUB is still waiting to hear more details from ComEd as to the exact timeline and the amount of the credit. What we know right now is that ComEd estimates the credit will be a rough average of $13 a month, around January through May. That is good news, as we work for long-term solutions to high electricity prices. As CUB told the media: “We’ve got a lot of work to do to bring down energy bills for consumers, but it’s good news that at a time of elevated power prices, Illinois’ strong energy policy is once again giving some relief to consumers. CEJA provides some protection as we work for long-term energy affordability solutions.”

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ICJC News Release: Experts say CABO will make new Chicago homes healthier, reduce energy bills, and create jobs. Peoples Gas President called out for prior false testimony.

Jim Chilsen — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:00:21 +0000

NOTE: The following is a news release from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), of which CUB is a member. CHICAGO – At an April 3 subject matter hearing in Chicago City Council Chambers, experts made it clear the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO) will reduce energy bills, make new Chicago homes healthier, and create thousands of new, high-paying jobs that don’t require a 4-year college degree. (Read CUB’s Q&A on CABO, and send a message in favor of the proposed ordinance.) Dr. Juanita Mora, a pediatric allergist in Chicago, referenced a peer-reviewed study that found one in five Illinois childhood asthma cases is attributable to gas-stove pollution. “Black people have the highest rates of asthma in the U.S. and are more likely to experience serious complications from the condition. But it’s just not asthma. Dozens of health-harming, hazardous pollutants come from burning gas in buildings. A study from Stanford University shows that even when a gas stove is turned off, it leaks benzene – a known carcinogen linked to cancers of the blood,” warned Dr. Mora. The Stanford University study also found that benzene tended to spread throughout the home – including into bedrooms – and linger for hours. Sarah Moskowitz, Executive Director at Citizens Utility Board, made it clear that gas isn’t just unhealthy; expensive gas is creating an affordability crisis that CABO can begin to solve. “For years now, about one in five Peoples Gas customers have been consistently 30 days or more behind on their bills. And in Black and Brown neighborhoods like Englewood, South Shore, Chatham, Auburn Gresham and Woodlawn, 30-40 percent of our neighbors are chronically unable to afford their gas bills. The average debt is about $500 or worse–sometimes it has approached $1,000. Despite what Peoples Gas says, gas is far from being a cheap, reliable way to heat our homes,” said Moskowitz. A 2022 report by Energy Futures Group found Chicago residents living in all-electric new multi-family and single-family homes could see energy bill savings upwards of $1,000 in the first year alone. CABO can make those projected savings a reality. Moskowitz also pointed out that during a November 6th hearing of the Environmental Protection and Energy Committee, Peoples Gas President Torrance Hinton testified in front of many of the same Alders presiding over today’s hearing that the company knew of no research linking health risks to gas. Hinton’s comment immediately raised eyebrows, with Committee Chairperson Ald. Maria Hadden declaring that it sounded like she was at a hearing on “Big Tobacco.” We now know Hinton’s claim was completely false. Two weeks ago, WGN-TV reported that 50 years ago in 1974, the then-President of Peoples Gas served on the board of a research organization that conducted studies “concerned” with what they called “pollutant emissions” generated by gas burners. Ald. Hadden added, “When Peoples Gas didn’t tell the truth about the health risks associated with gas that their company has known about for 50 years, it makes me question their testimony on affordability, jobs, and safety as well.” “All electric buildings are cheaper to build and cheaper to maintain. Newly constructed […]

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Breaking: Inflation Reduction Act is signed into law

Jim Chilsen — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 10:00:23 +0000

The nation has taken a historic step forward in fighting costly climate change and lowering utility bills through energy efficiency with passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). President Biden signed the IRA into law on Tuesday, August 16, The landmark energy bill passed the U.S. House on Aug. 12 and the Senate on Aug. 7. (The legislation needed Vice President Kamala Harris to break a 50-50 tie in that chamber.) “Passing the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act was a huge breakthrough in Illinois. But we’ve got more work to do, and we need strong legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act, coming out of Washington,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said after the IRA passed the House. “CEJA and the IRA are about seeking consumer-friendly ways to fight climate change–protecting our planet and at the same time protecting our pocketbooks.” Kolata thanked CUB supporters who sent more than 1,400 messages over the last week urging Washington to pass the IRA. The legislation includes significant provisions on taxes and health care, but the largest chunk of spending, $369 billion, goes to clean energy and efficiency improvements to fight climate change. CUB has long promoted the bill-cutting benefits of energy efficiency, and the watchdog argues that climate change unchecked will cost electric customers billions in higher bills in years to come. So fighting the world’s climate problems through strong clean energy legislation benefits consumers and their pocketbooks. The IRA represents the largest combined investment in energy efficiency in U.S. history and a “massive win for our climate and for reducing energy costs for households and businesses,” according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Below is a summary of key provisions: 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. $9 billion for rebate programs focusing on lower-income consumers to help people make efficiency upgrades and switch to more efficient electric appliances. 10 years of tax credits for making heat pumps, rooftop solar, electric HVAC and water heaters more affordable. $4,000 tax credit for lower/middle income drivers to buy used clean vehicles, and a tax credit of up to $7,500 to buy new clean vehicles. $1 billion grant program to make efficiency upgrades to affordable housing. Tens of billions of dollars in tax credits, grants and loans to support U.S manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and batteries. Get more details on the IRA: Here, here and here. “The legislation’s landmark investment of $369 billion in climate and clean energy programs will help deploy thousands of megawatts of renewable power, create hundreds of thousands of good-paying American jobs, reduce the cost of electric power, and finally put the country on track toward achievement of our climate goals,” said the American Council on Renewable Energy. RMI, formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute, added that the legislation will lower energy costs, increase investment in clean energy economic opportunities, and stimulate jobs and economic growth. “Hands down, the investments in this new legislation will help lower energy cost inflation,” said Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of RMI. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated the IRA would reduce deficits by $1.9 trillion over […]

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CUB explainer: The Inflation Reduction Act

Elizabeth — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 20:52:08 +0000

The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that supporters say would represent the nation’s largest investment in energy efficiency in history, and its biggest and best attempt yet to fight climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aims to reduce inflation by increasing corporate tax revenue by closing loopholes and supporting programs that help consumers cut their energy bills through efficiency. CUB supports the IRA because we have long argued that climate change will cost electric customers billions in higher bills in years to come, so fighting it through strong clean energy legislation is a pro-consumer issue. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) called the IRA the largest combined investment in energy efficiency in U.S. history. “While far more investment will be needed to address the climate crisis, the IRA investments…will put us on a much better path,” ACEEE wrote. “And the investments will save money for American consumers and businesses, grow the energy efficiency and clean energy industries, improve public health, and strengthen energy security.” The proposal is a compromise reached by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer after another bill Build Back Better stalled last year. The Senate opens debate on the legislation as early as this week. It would require a simple majority, under a procedure called “budget reconciliation.” The IRA aims to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and “would represent the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history, by far.” While the legislation touches on health insurance and tax issues, the legislation devotes the largest chunk of spending, $369 billion, to fight climate change, including… $9 billion in rebate programs to help consumers make energy efficiency upgrades and switch to more efficient electric appliances. 10 years of tax credits for making heat pumps, rooftop solar, electric HVAC and water heaters more affordable. $4,000 tax credit for lower/middle income drivers to buy used clean vehicles, and up to $7,500 tax credit to buy new clean vehicles. $1 billion grant program to make efficiency upgrades to affordable housing. Tens of billions of dollars in tax credits, grants and loans to support U.S manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and batteries. (Get more details on the IRA.) The clean energy measures are designed to combat inflation as well as climate change. Robbie Orvis, of the nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation, said elevated energy prices have driven about a third of the 9 percent increase in the overall Consumer Price Index over this past year. “By helping Americans become less reliant on fossil fuels, the spending helps ease the global oil crunch and cut consumer bills,” Vox reported. To fund these clean energy initiatives, the bill would levy a minimum 15 percent tax on corporations, like ExxonMobil, that have $1 billion+ in yearly profits. It also would reportedly add a 1 percent excise tax companies would have to pay on the amount of stock they repurchase. The legislation would beef up Internal Revenue Service enforcement to capture more unpaid taxes. “We passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois, and that was a big step forward,” CUB Director of Communications […]

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Infrastructure bill awaits Biden’s signature, climate package faces uphill battle

Hannah — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 19:29:47 +0000

The House has passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that would provide a much needed boost to the country’s broadband, utility and transportation services. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the $1 trillion plan in the coming weeks, but the bill’s companion, a $1.75 trillion social safety net and climate policy package, faces an uphill battle in Washington. A big thank you to CUB supporters who sent hundreds of messages to Washington urging passage of the infrastructure bill. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed the Senate in August and the House on November 5, will upgrade America’s roads, bridges, airports and rail systems while also expanding internet service and addressing the nation’s overworked electrical grid. What’s in the infrastructure package? Among other things, the Infrastructure investment and Jobs Act contains funding for: Electric vehicles. The bill would provide $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging stations. Electric and hybrid school buses will also be purchased with an additional $5 billion. Internet access. $65 billion is earmarked for the expansion and improvement of internet access for low-income consumers, rural areas and tribal communities. Electric grid modernization. The legislation sets aside $65 billion to improve the power grid, a system that has become less reliable and resilient in recent years. The funds would also be used to support carbon capture initiatives and cleaner electricity sources. Water. Water and wastewater infrastructure will see $55 billion from the bill. $15 billion of that total is to be used to replace lead pipes, and $10 billion is to clean up contaminated water. Public transit. Some of the $39 billion for public transportation will be distributed to state and local governments to purchase zero- or low-emission buses. The remaining funds will help expand access and improve accessibility for people with disabilities. An additional $66 billion will be allocated to expand and improve Amtrak service nationwide. According to an analysis by Illinois Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, among other benefits, Illinois should see: $1.7 billion to improve drinking and wastewater infrastructure. About $4 billion to improve access to public transit. At least $100 million for broadband improvements. About 228,000 Illinoisans currently do not have broadband access. As part of the package, about 2.9 million low-income Illinoisans would get an internet access benefit. $149 million to expand electric vehicle charging networks in Illinois. Now that the infrastructure bill has passed, legislators are now turning to its companion bill, dubbed the Build Back Better Act. The $1.75 trillion package includes provisions on child care, eldercare, healthcare and prescription drug pricing, and it would funnel $550 billion toward climate and clean energy initiatives. The bill requires passage in the Senate and the House. Senate supporters have said they hope to pass it by Thanksgiving. The legislation does not have bipartisan support, so the climate package’s future is uncertain. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators and let them know you support necessary action to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect utility customers. (Send a message to Washington now!) Build Back Better contains funding for: Clean energy tax credits: Over 10 years, $320 billion in tax credits […]

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General Assembly passes historic energy bill: Now begins the hard work of implementation

Sophia — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 21:53:07 +0000

The General Assembly has passed landmark energy legislation that consumer and environmental advocates have worked for years to achieve. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act puts Illinois on a path to 100 percent clean energy while implementing the strongest utility ethics reforms and energy efficiency provisions in state history. And it aims to provide a spark to the economy by bringing thousands of clean energy jobs to communities that need it the most. “The General Assembly’s passage of the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act is a victory for consumers and the environment. This comprehensive clean energy legislation ensures that, as Illinois mounts an urgently needed defense against catastrophic climate change, the state is on a path to achieve an affordable clean energy future and hold utilities more accountable, ” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said in a statement. “Without this blueprint, Illinois consumers were destined to pay higher electricity bills as climate change continued unchecked and the costs of long-term capacity reserves in energy markets escalated.” The act (Senate Bill 2408) passed the House 83 to 33 Sept. 9, and the Senate 37 to 17 on Sept. 13. (See how your senator and your representative voted.) Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has championed comprehensive energy legislation, signed the bill into law on Sept. 15 in a ceremony at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. (Watch CUB’s Facebook Live about the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act.) CUB, as a member of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, had worked for passage of the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act, which in itself was a historic clean energy breakthrough. For the last two years, the coalition–a group of 200 consumer, business and environmental groups–supported the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) as the best way to protect consumers’ utility bills and fight climate change by moving to 100 percent clean energy. The coalition added strong utility accountability provisions to the legislation after ComEd was caught by federal prosecutors in a corruption scandal over its attempts to pass energy legislation that allowed it to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in rubber-stamped rate hikes. CEJA was one of about a half-dozen energy bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly. The governor, who in January of 2020, called for energy legislation that would put “consumers and climate first,” re-started negotiations earlier this year to develop a compromise bill. As with any compromise bill, CUB doesn’t support everything in it, but if implemented correctly the legislation will be a big net win for consumers. A summary of provisions in the bill is below. (The Clean Jobs Coalition also has a breakdown of the bill.) Responsible path toward 100 percent clean energy: Moving Illinois—and the nation—to 100 percent clean energy will be a complex process. The act calls for: Achieving a carbon-free power grid by 2045. It would eliminate most coal- and oil-fired power generation by 2030, and require pollution-reduction targets for the municipally owned Prairie State and Dallman coal plants. They would have to reduce their carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2035, and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Increases support for renewable energy to reach 40 percent by 2030 and 50 […]

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Big step forward: Illinois Senate passes energy bill, now it’s on to the House

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 12:25:00 +0000

After more than two years pushing for comprehensive energy legislation that fights climate change and secures clean, affordable energy for Illinois, we’ve taken a key step forward this month. In the wee hours of the morning Wednesday, Sept. 1, the Illinois Senate passed legislation and sent it to the House. Senate Bill 18 passed by a vote of 39-16-2. “This is definitely a step in the right direction, but there’s more work to do in the House to finalize this legislation,” CUB Communications Director Jim Chilsen said. “Failure is not an option when it comes to passing legislation that seeks consumer-friendly ways to solve a problem we can’t ignore: climate change. It is essential that we get a strong, pro-consumer clean energy bill across the finish line.” While there was broad agreement on most of SB 18’s provisions, there were still key issues to be resolved in the House. That included a timeline for coal-fired power plants, like the municipally owned Prairie State facility in Southern Illinois and Springfield’s Dallman coal plant, to ratchet down their emissions for the next several years before closing for good in 2045. Then, on Friday, September 3, it was reported that a new amendment, SB 1751, House Amendment 1 (the Climate and Equitable Jobs Bill), included such pollution-reduction targets for those two plants. The amendment is supported by the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, of which CUB is a member, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The amendment includes a plan to move Illinois to a zero-carbon power grid by 2045, with specific benchmarks for Prairie State and Dallman: They would have to reduce carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2045. (Take Action: Urge the Illinois House to support the Climate and Equitable Jobs Bill.) The House could take up the legislation as early as Wednesday. (A House committee has scheduled a hearing on the bill for Thursday.) If the House passes a bill with key changes, it will have to be sent back to the Senate for consideration. There is urgency to pass a bill: A grim report from the United Nations stressed that the world must begin now to move away from dirty energy in order to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change. CUB’s own research shows that not only is climate change a health threat, but it also could lead to billions of dollars in higher power bills if we do nothing. Money to support clean, affordable solar power has dried up. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that after a state incentive program ran out of money last year, just 313 small rooftop solar projects were completed statewide in the three-month period ending June 30. That’s compared with 2,908 a year earlier. Solar had been booming in Illinois, but stumbled after these incentives from an earlier law, the Future Energy Jobs Act, ran out. Energy giant Exelon has said it will close two nuclear power plants, Byron and Dresden, if it doesn’t get support through the energy legislation. In fact, after the bill passed the Senate, the company said Illinois must finalize the legislation by Sept. 13, or Byron will close. Most […]

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Working for historic energy legislation in Springfield

Sophia — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:00:42 +0000

Negotiations to pass legislation that would secure clean, affordable energy for Illinois and hold utilities accountable have been extended in Springfield, and at press time, negotiators were hopeful a strong bill could be passed this year, if not before the end of the summer. “I want to thank the CUB supporters who have sent thousands of messages to Springfield leaders in favor of strong clean energy legislation,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “We appreciate your patience—we’re closer than ever to passing a strong, pro-consumer energy bill.” How did we get here? For two-and-a-half years, CUB has fought for strong clean energy legislation called the Clean Energy Jobs Act, or CEJA. The ComEd corruption scandal ramped up efforts to pass the bill. At the heart of the scandal, the company won an unfair “formula” rate-setting process that has led to hundreds of millions of dollars in rate hikes. CEJA was one of a handful of energy bills proposed in 2021. As negotiations continued, Gov. J.B. Pritzker championed a compromise proposal that shared many provisions with the bill CUB supported. Why do we like the compromise proposal? The proposal would: Launch a responsible plan to fight climate change and work toward 100 percent clean energy by 2045. Support low-cost clean energy and give a boost to the solar energy market. Solar has boomed in Illinois—making the state a national leader—but has sputtered after incentives from an earlier law, the Future Energy Jobs Act, ran out. Supporting clean energy creates jobs for communities that need it the most—including those abandoned by the coal industry. Replace the unfair electric formula rate-setting system with one that can provide more oversight. Allow state regulators to open an investigation into how to fairly compensate ComEd customers for the utility’s corruption scandal. Create an independent ethics monitor at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to rein in utilities. Pave the way for cleaner, more affordable electric transportation options. Expand energy efficiency programs that have helped lower bills by billions of dollars. So what’s left to do? Various sides have reached agreement on almost all the provisions in what would be a final bill, but at press time negotiations continued over the schedule for closing fossil fuel power plants, and a bill had not been officially introduced. Why is it important that we keep fighting? The impact of pollution on our environment is one of the biggest threats to our well-being, and it also is terrible for our electricity bills. (Read about our research on the $10.9 billion cost of climate change.) Also, ComEd’s corruption scandal heightens the urgency to pass legislation to hold utilities accountable. The New York Times recently reported on the potentially devastating consequences of climate change in Chicago, such as fluctuations in the water levels of Lake Michigan that could spark widespread flooding and property damage. In fact, the Chicagoland area has already seen instances of extreme weather with tornadoes touching down in Naperville and Rogers Park over the last year. Extreme weather has also picked up nationwide with an unprecedented Texas deep freeze, flooded subway stations in New York City, and record-breaking heat […]

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BREAKING: Clean Energy Jobs Act advances out of House committee

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:11:05 +0000

The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) took an important step forward Monday, as members of the Illinois House Energy & Environment Committee voted it out of committee. CEJA now moves to the full Illinois House of Representatives for debate and a potential vote on the floor. In addition, a subject matter hearing on equity is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. “We still have a lot of work to do to secure clean, affordable energy for Illinois consumers and hold utilities accountable, but this is a key step forward,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said after the committee voted 18-11 to advance CEJA. Kolata urged Illinois consumers to send a message to their legislators to urge them to support CEJA (House Bill 804/Senate Bill 1718). CEJA now has more than 40 co-sponsors, including chief co-sponsor House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, a longtime champion of the measure. “The passage of this comprehensive energy package out of committee today marks a critical step forward and away from the days of backroom deals that put utility company profits before people,” said state Rep. Ann Williams, chief House sponsor of CEJA and chair of the House Energy & Environment Committee. “CEJA is the product of years of grassroots-driven conversations held in communities across Illinois.” CEJA would move Illinois to 100 percent clean energy by 2050, while protecting consumers power bills. CUB supports the legislation because it would: hold utilities accountable by ending formula rate increases that burden consumers and small businesses; implement electricity market reforms to protect customers from up to $1.7 billion in higher power bills over the next decade; promote policies to reduce expensive peak demand that increases consumers’ electric bills as well as expand cost-cutting efficiency programs, bringing about $700 to $800 million a year in utility bill savings; promote vehicle electrification and money-saving smart-charging policies, cleaning up the transportation sector that is now the biggest contributor to climate change. Additionally, CEJA would attract billions of dollars in private renewable energy investment to Illinois, and create thousands of clean energy jobs without raising taxes, hiking power bills, or giving bailouts to Exelon or fossil fuel companies. In a poll taken last May, 82 percent of Illinois voters surveyed said they support CEJA to aid in COVID recovery.

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CEJA sponsors reintroduce bill, pledge to pass legislation by May

Hannah — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 21:51:51 +0000

Members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition today reintroduced a stronger Clean Energy Jobs Act, with a pledge from bill sponsors to pass the comprehensive energy legislation in the General Assembly by May 2021. “The days of ComEd, Exelon, Ameren, and big fossil fuel companies meeting in a backroom to decide energy policy are over,” State Rep. Ann Williams said at the news conference held Tuesday morning. “We need to put the people of Illinois first, not utility company profits, and that’s what CEJA does.” The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) is the only bill in Springfield that moves Illinois to 100 percent clean energy by 2050, creates thousands of much-needed equitable jobs and holds utilities accountable without raising taxes, hiking electric bills, or giving bailouts to corrupt utility companies. (Sign our petition and tell your legislators we need CEJA now!) Supporters say the need for comprehensive, consumer-friendly energy legislation is urgent in the face of powerful polluters and the growing impact of climate change. Guadalupe Bueno didn’t have a choice to become a climate activist. Her hometown, Waukegan, is home to a coal plant and numerous superfund sites. In a video played at the news conference, Bueno said CEJA can’t wait, especially in communities like her own, left in the lurch when coal companies cut and run, leaving joblessness, contaminated work sites and property tax revenue deficits in their wake. But as CEJA’s House sponsor Williams points out, Illinois is up against three other major crises at the moment: COVID, social and economic injustice and corruption. While CEJA isn’t an answer to the state’s every woe, the bill does include provisions that will help Illinois communities recover from the pandemic, which has left many unemployed and struggling to afford their utility bills. This is especially true among Black and Latinx communities, which have been hit disproportionally hard by the pandemic. “Our communities have borne the brunt of the health problems associated with pollution, and we have taken a huge toll in death and joblessness from COVID-19. CEJA is a key component to economic recovery and building back better,” said State Rep. Kam Buckner, House chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. “We don’t just want electric vehicle charging stations, rooftop and community solar, and energy efficiency projects completed in Black neighborhoods and communities. We want Black workers installing them, and we want Black-owned businesses designing the projects and getting them built,” said State Sen. Robert Peters, Senate chair of the Illinois legislative Black Caucus. “CEJA is the only comprehensive energy bill that delivers on that promise.” CUB supports the bill because it protects utility bills by expanding energy efficiency programs and implementing electricity market reforms. CEJA also is the only bill that calls for fair compensation for ComEd customers after federal prosecutors caught Illinois’ largest electric utility in a bribery scandal to pass legislation that led to a new system of setting rates and opened the door to multiple increases. CEJA would replace that system, called formula rates, with one that is more fair for consumers and better protects them from unfair rate hikes. […]

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