CEJA - The Clean Energy Jobs Act and What is Going on Now?

By Connie Schmidt

In the Springfield office of State Representative
Grant Wehrli (left)

The Clean Energy Jobs Act is our solution to many issues involving the transition away from fossil fuels here in Illinois. In 2016, the Sierra Club along with other enviros AND clean energy industry AND several utilities all worked together to pass The Future Energy Jobs Act. That started the real transition here in Illinois. Now we have introduced the CEJA and are trying to at least quadruple the effect of the previous law as well as add some new benefits to workers and citizens, such as more support for gas energy efficiency, a fossil fuel workers “bill of rights” for job transition when plants are shuttered, far more emphasis on clean transportation, as well as the support for clean energy construction projects; including commercial, community, and residential. One of the most pressing components of CEJA is to fix a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision that only supports Fossil Fuel industry for funds assessed to customers for peaker power plants. CEJA allows Illinois to use its FERC funds for clean energy and some nuclear to help transition away from ONLY fossil fuels, which is the FERC requirement. CEJA is a big ask! And it is more complicated this time because Solar installation industry created their own bill, which focuses only on funding Clean Energy projects, and none of the other areas mentioned above in CEJA. Legislators are hearing from both factions AND from the fossil fuel industry, which of course has their own lobbyists and asks. So in January and February, there was little movement.

Then came our Lobby Day on March 4. Many of you were no doubt there as nearly 700 participants crowded the rotunda carrying signs and cheering for the myriad of speakers supporting CEJA. Buses came from all over the state with young and gray-hair enthusiasts anxious to meet with legislators to deliver talking points supporting our clean energy transition. It was a very successful day for “The good guys”! 

With State Representative Deb Conroy (right)
outside the House Chamber in Springfield

Following Lobby Day we were thrilled that the governor convened some bipartisan working groups of members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, industry, and environmental organizations. The hope was that some form of CEJA may be rewritten to combine needs of the installers as well. They met only briefly, then the pandemic struck and all was canceled to support the safety and survival of Illinois residents.

We are all still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 virus that has gripped not only Illinois but also the entire globe. Many companies and businesses have shuttered; however, others have taken to virtual meetings on a variety of platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts. Unfortunately, the Illinois State legislature has no statute for how to meet in such a situation so the governor has been forced to focus on the pandemic, and the legislators are focused on supporting their constituents with rent and utility bill relief, and any other issues have been left in the dust. Hopefully, the state legislature will be back in session, with some changes of course, later this fall. But for two issues encompassed within CEJA, waiting is devastating. First, any changes to the national FERC order (how we fund our peaker needs for power) must happen by June 1. At the time of writing this, we are in full swing asking to move that date back to fall, but there is no change yet. In addition, the pool of funds supporting the clean energy projects from FEJA is running out and will be empty by the fall. This could mean huge layoffs in workers for energy efficiency supported projects as well as residential, commercial, and community solar projects. 

At the writing of this article in early May, some work groups are starting to convene, and a huge campaign has just been launched to encourage a postponement of the FERC decision. Individual groups across Illinois are continuing to raise interest. The River Prairie Group held a joint Zoom informational call with CUB (Citizen’s Utility Board) to inform members of energy efficiency projects and solar installation that can take place quickly now in order to receive state incentives. Other than that, we are on hold.

In the Springfield office of State Senator
Suzy Glowiak-Hilton (center)

But Climate Change is not on hold, and the need for us to make changes in our behavior patterns is great. Yes, with decreased transportation emissions, our skies are cleaner, but remember that this is temporary. Creatures great and small are scurrying forward without a concern for physical distancing, but the need to continue to protect their habitat is significant as the administration’s greed for the earth’s finite resources is ever present. Our waters are clear and hosting aquatic life not seen for years, yet the threat of boat traffic will be ramping up with relaxed pandemic cautions, and the pollution and debris will soon return. Our work is pivoted now to help our local communities survive with housing, utility relief, and food sourcing, but we will return to our causes, and hopefully we will be stronger than ever. AND Clean Energy in Illinois will be at the top of our list!

To get involved with the DuPage Clean Energy Coalition drop a note to:  dupagecleanenergy@gmail.com. 

As of May 26, the Illinois Budget has been passed by the Illinois House and Senate, and is expected to be signed by the governor. It does not include support for CEJA. We are disheartened; however, we are counting on the veto session in the Fall for movement. Join the conversation with the DuPage Clean Energy Coalition for more information. (See contact above.)