Jobs in Illinois Get Energized
As of late, many states are focusing on improving their energy plans. Illinois is no exception, as the state is planning on using a new round of funding to improve its own energy plan, in turn creating new jobs in Illinois (Click here).
Gov. Pat Quinn recently announced that Illinois received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy for its proposed State Energy Plan. The approval gives the state the authority to being implementing the program, which makes more than $100 million available through grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing a tremendous economic boost to Illinois,” Quinn said. “The funding approved today will help us provide low cost, reliable energy; reduce our long-term energy consumption; improve our production of clean, home grown fuels; and reduce our impact on the environment.”
Illinois’ State Energy Plan includes programs focused on: renewable energy production, community renewable energy, green industry business development, green roofs grants, electric energy efficiency for public facilities, thermal efficiency for public facilities, large customer energy efficiency and production of next generation biofuels.
At first, the state will receive 50 percent of its ARRA funding, and will receive the remainder after demonstrating successful implementation of the plan and meeting accountability requirements. The State Energy Plan will be administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The additional funding for the State Energy Program will allow the DCEO to expand it program offerings in order to fund cost-effective energy projects that create and retain jobs, reduce energy consumption and costs, increase renewable energy capacity, reduce green house gas emissions, and leverage private funds.