Advanced Energy Perspectives

On Monday, the Illinois General Assembly passed a landmark clean energy bill, which Governor JB Pritzker promptly signed into law, fulfilling a cornerstone promise from his 2018 campaign: deliver strong climate action by transitioning Illinois to 100% clean energy by 2050. It also means potential market opportunity worth an estimated $37 billion for advanced energy companies as they help Illinois meet two great challenges: decarbonizing the electric grid and lifting up every corner of the state with good jobs in the new energy economy. Read on for what the bill does, how it came about, and why it’s a huge win for the advanced energy industry.

A few weeks ago, the Biden administration unveiled a $2 trillion plan to overhaul U.S. infrastructure. The American Jobs Plan included $174 billion for vehicle electrification to expedite the transportation industry’s shift away from fossil fuels. This funding targets the production of not only vehicles, but battery technologies, component parts, and raw materials used across the entire electric vehicle supply chain. That’s because electric vehicles (EVs) are different – and therein lies an opportunity for businesses, workers, and entire states to join the U.S. auto industry as transportation goes electric. One of those states is Illinois, where see the beginning of an electric transportation (ET) industry already in place, and poised to grow.

After a landmark first year in office that included passing legislation on pension reform and recreational cannabis as well as putting a new state income tax proposal on the ballot this November, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker seemingly tackled every major item from his 2018 campaign agenda, with the exception of passing comprehensive energy legislation. But maybe not for long. In his State of the State address on Wed., Gov. Pritzker said, “Our spring agenda must address the pressing issue of adopting new clean energy legislation that reduces carbon pollution, promotes renewable energy, and accelerates electrification of our transportation sector.” In adding that he would not “sign an energy bill written by the utility companies,” he was also giving a sign of the potential for broad stakeholder input – and AEE is already ahead of the game.

As part of our effort to engage candidates for governor in nine states this year on the economic opportunity provided by advanced energy, Advanced Energy Economy released a policy roadmap for Illinois on April 19 and delivered that roadmap to the major party nominees, Republican incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrat J.B. Pritzker. Outlining a range of executive, legislative, and regulatory actions that the next governor can take to ensure continued growth of the state’s advanced energy sector, this roadmap shows the way to capitalize on the policy and business foundation already in place in Illinois and build on it, for the benefit of customers and the Illinois economy. Plus, an advertising campaign and website will provide a way for Illinoisans to learn about advanced energy – and sign up as Advanced Energy Voters!

In the final days of Maryland’s legislative session, a bill to extend the state’s successful energy efficiency program – known as EmPOWER Maryland – through 2023 became law. With AEE and other efficiency advocates persuading Gov. Hogan not to veto the bill, which had passed the legislature with veto-proof majorities in both houses, the law took effect without his signature, but also with no need for an override vote. The result: an estimated $1.6 billion market opportunity for energy efficiency companies across Maryland unleashed over the next six years.