FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Contact: Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
Hannah Flath, hannahlee.flath@sierraclub.org, 860-634-0225
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- After months of negotiation, Governor Pritzker, legislative leaders, and stakeholders reached agreement on climate and equity legislation. This newly proposed bill includes a compromise that requires municipally-owned coal plants to achieve a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and phases coal out completely by 2045. Sierra Club came out in support for what it says is a nation-leading plan to center equity and environmental justice in achieving 100% clean energy and bold action on climate change.
In response, Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin released the following statement:
“The clean energy future we all want can start today if the Illinois House can approve this historic agreement. Illinois can take action on climate change by phasing fossil fuels out of our electric grid, and put those most in need first in line for the thousands of jobs this bill will create in clean energy.
We applaud Governor Pritzker’s bold leadership to make Illinois a leader in action on climate change, legislative leaders who helped reach this agreement, and the stakeholders who worked hard to shape this agreement to work best for Illinois’ future. We need the Illinois House to approve SB2408 today so that the future can begin now.”