Andrew Barbeau

By Andrew Barbeau and Christie Hicks Friday Jun 14, 2019 at 5:10 PM Jun 14, 2019 at 5:10 PM Illinois has once again put itself at the forefront of the movement to promote a clean energy economy. Earlier this year, legislators including Sen. David Koehler, unveiled the Clean Energy Jobs Act (“Local advocates cheer state clean energy legislation,” Journal Star, Feb. 28), or CEJA, a groundbreaking bill that the Environmental Defense Fund was proud to play a central role in developing.

By EDF Blogs By Christie Hicks and Andrew Barbeau The rollout of Illinois’ Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) has focused attention on the bill’s four main pillars: a 100% renewable energy target by 2050, the decarbonization of the state’s power sector by 2030, the electrification of the transportation sector and a focus on equity and economic justice. But there’s a hidden gem of an opportunity in the bill that is just as promising as solar panels and electric cars: energy efficiency.

By EDF Blogs By Christie Hicks and Andrew Barbeau As Illinoisans consider ways to drive down pollution and the costs of energy, one place to look is what they drive. The transportation sector has now overtaken the power sector as the leading source of carbon pollution in Illinois, responsible for nearly one-third of all carbon emissions. Any state-level climate action must address transportation emissions.