Illinois

Illinois passed several climate bills in the past two decades and funded a wide range of clean energy, energy efficiency and electrification initiatives. Important initiatives include $140 million of funding for renewable energy projects, a requirement for 1,300 MW of wind power to be built by 2030, and funding for smart metres and smart grid programmes. The state has a 25 percent requirement for renewables by 2025 and a 26-28 percent emissions target reduction by 2025 through its membership in the US Climate Alliance (USCA). Illinois has the most nuclear reactors (11) and generating capacity (11.6 GW) of any state, and generated 54% of its in-state generation from nuclear power in 2019. Despite its goals, Illinois has yet to adopt a comprehensive 100 percent renewable or clean energy target. The Path to 100 Act, first introduced in early 2019, looks to expand the state’s renewable portfolio but is stalled in the state legislature despite Democrats’ holding majorities in both houses and industry support for the legislation. Private sector investment in Illinois’ renewable energy industry totaled $5 billion from 2017-2020, but a combination of declining revenues and the failure to pass new renewable energy policy has muddled the outlook in Illinois.

SHORT-TERM OUTLOOK THROUGH 2025 – ILLINOIS

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