Statement form E2 Midwest Advocate Micaela Preskill
CHICAGO (April 10, 2019) – The Chicago city council unanimously passed a resolution to establish a goal of transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2035, becoming the largest city in the country to make this commitment. According to a brand-new report released Tuesday by the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) and the Clean Energy Trust (CET), Illinois is now home for more than 123,000 clean energy employees working in renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean vehicles, energy storage, and grid modernization. The city ranks sixth in the county for jobs in clean energy. Chicago’s commitment to 100 percent clean energy is a sound economic development plan for Illinois and the city of Chicago and will likely lead to future growth in clean energy jobs.
The following is a statement from E2 Midwest States Advocate Micaela Preskill:
“This move comes as we are seeing the clean energy industries far outpace overall job growth across Illinois,” said Preskill. “Clean energy in the Midwest is not just a trend, and with a path towards 100 percent clean energy Chicago is making a commitment to its workers and businesses that they will continue reaping the economic benefits from its booming clean energy economy.”
The resolution arrives as the Illinois state legislature considers a bill – the Clean Energy Jobs Act – that would put the entire state on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.
Illinois’ clean energy businesses added 4,717 jobs in 2018 for a 4.0 percent growth rate, while statewide employment grew 0.9 percent. Overall, Illinois now employs 89,277 more workers in clean energy than fossil fuels (33,970). To read the full report on Illinois, visit https://www.cleanjobsmidwest.com/state/illinois
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To speak with E2 leaders who support a path to 100 percent clean energy, please contact Michael Timberlake at (202) 289-2407 or [email protected].
Additional Resources:
- E2 + CET: Clean Jobs Midwest 2019
- E2 Report: Clean Jobs America 2019
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.