Advanced Energy Roadmap Shows How Next Governor of Illinois Can Drive the Economy By Making Energy Used by Households and Businesses Secure, Clean, and Affordable 

CHICAGO, April 19, 2018 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) announced it has delivered a policy roadmap to the Illinois gubernatorial campaigns of Republican nominee Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker outlining how advanced energy can transform the Illinois economy. The policy roadmap “Advanced Energy Roadmap for Illinois: How the Next Governor Can Make Illinois’ Energy System More Secure, Clean, and Affordable—and Drive Jobs and Economic Development,” outlines key executive actions and legislative priorities that will allow the next Governor of Illinois to pursue an economic development agenda that takes full advantage of advanced energy.

“Advanced energy is already a major economic driver in Illinois, employing over 119,000 people and generating billions of dollars in investment in the state,” said Daniel Bloom, Illinois policy director for AEE. “The next Governor should build on the Future Energy Jobs Act, which was passed in 2016, and look to the advanced energy industry as a key partner in further driving economic growth. Advanced energy can deliver economic gains, greater grid reliability, and savings in energy costs. We look forward to continuing our work with the Rauner and Pritzker campaigns.”

In its policy roadmap, AEE presented five key themes for the campaigns to consider:

• Build on the Success of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA): Illinois’ next governor should ensure FEJA is implemented equitably and effectively for all market segments, and champion legislative efforts to build upon the expected growth in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and estimated $12 billion to $15 billion in new private investment.
  
  
• Maximize Energy Efficiency and Demand Response to Create Jobs, Save Consumers Money, and Enhance the Reliability of the Electric Grid: Energy efficiency and demand response create jobs and represent the lowest cost and most readily available resources to meet energy demand. Under FEJA’s energy efficiency provisions, Illinois customers are expected to save nearly $7 billion through 2030. Opportunities exist for the next Illinois governor to promote policies that capture even greater cost savings for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal consumers.
  
  
• Modernize the Electricity System to Focus on Consumer Needs: Evolving consumer preferences, dynamic new technologies, and the need to replace aging infrastructure are all driving grid modernization. The next governor should guide regulatory system reforms to meet the needs of residents and businesses and modernize our electric power system.
  
  
• Electrify the Transportation Sector: Our transportation system is undergoing a seismic evolution, and with its proud tradition of automotive leadership, Illinois can lead in transportation electrification. The next Governor can position Illinois as the hub of transportation innovation and employment while creating substantial benefits for citizens and businesses.
  
  
• Expand Corporate Customer Access to Advanced Energy: Energy costs and sources are key factors for companies deciding where to locate or expand operations. While Illinois leads in policies allowing customers to choose renewable energy and other advanced energy technologies to meet their needs, the next governor can work to remove restrictions on community solar (size of installations and the amount of energy purchased by a single customer).

In the policy roadmap, AEE also recommended specific executive actions and immediate, medium-term, and long-term legislative and regulatory priorities.

About Advanced Energy Economy
Advanced Energy Economy is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE and its state and regional partner organizations are active in 27 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the advanced energy industry. Learn more at www.aee.net and track our latest news @AEEnet.