Five CEJA Opportunities for you and your community!
One year ago today, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) became law in Illinois! More than 50 community conversations and three years of grassroots efforts from Prairie Rivers Network, our members, and partners at the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition helped inform and advance the policies that became the nation’s “most equitable climate law.” Illinois is now on course to show what a just transition to a renewable energy future can look like while also lifting up workers and communities. Thanks to CEJA, Illinois is also well positioned to take advantage of new federal clean energy resources from the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act.
In recognition of this milestone, we’ve created a two part blog– this post highlights FIVE CEJA opportunities that are available now and another blog post explores FIVE CEJA opportunities that are still “in-the-works!”
1) It’s Time to Go Solar in Illinois.
CEJA boosts funding for Illinois Shines, the “state administered incentive program supporting the development of new solar energy generation in Illinois. Through the Illinois Shines program solar projects are eligible for financial incentives known as “renewable energy credits” (REC). RECs are generated and sold for solar projects on homes, businesses, churches, schools, and community owned facilities, and they can cover 25-40% of project costs! These state incentives are in addition to federal tax credits for solar that were recently bumped back up to 30% thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act! Now is the time to go solar in Illinois!
2) Can’t Build Your Own System? Try Community Solar.
Our first three topics are related to solar, but they are different opportunities so bear with us! Community solar is a subscription based solar program that allows you to sign-up to have a portion of your energy supply generated by an offsite solar project. This program allows you to save 5-15% on your energy bill, and it is perfect for people that rent, have shaded roofs, or can’t make the initial financial investment in their own solar array. You can learn more about Community Solar from our friends at Citizens Utility Board and the Illinois Solar Energy Association.
3) Solar for All.
CEJA boosted funding for Illinois Solar for All, a program that increases participation in solar energy projects serving income-eligible and environmental justice communities. Income-eligible homeowners and renters, as well as non-profits and public facilities serving income-eligible or environmental justice communities, may be eligible for participation. With Illinois Solar for All, participants will see no upfront costs and ongoing costs, and fees will not exceed 50% of the value of the energy generated from that system. You can find out if you are eligible for a Solar for All project by looking at the income eligibility chart here, and you can learn more on the Illinois Solar for All website.
4) Get Your Electric Vehicle Rebate.
Thanks to CEJA, Illinois residents that purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer will be eligible for a rebate. A $4,000 rebate is available for the purchase of an all-electric vehicle, and a $1,500 rebate is available for all-electric motorcycle. Rebate applications are being accepted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) until September 30 for vehicles purchased on or after July 1, 2022. A second rebate cycle will open November 1, 2022, and close on January 30, 2023. The rebate application and more information can be found on the IEPA website and on this FAQ document.
Illinois’ state EV rebate is another example of how Illinoisans will be able to better take advantage and benefit from new federal investments. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the light-duty electric vehicle (EV) tax credit of up to $7,500 per vehicle has been extended through 2032. And for the first time, used EVs will be eligible for federal tax credits of up to $4,000 or 30% of the sales price, whichever is lower.
5) Get Energy Efficient.
CEJA extends Illinois’ successful electric energy efficiency programs that are offered to ratepayers, small businesses, and municipalities through their utilities Ameren and ComEd. These programs include things like smart thermostat rebates, energy audits, incentives for HVAC and insulation measures, and more. If you are an Ameren customer you can learn more about their energy efficiency programs here. ComEd customers can learn more here.
Read more about new CEJA programs and grants that are currently under development in the second part of this CEJA blog series. The programs explored in this two-part blog are just a few of the CEJA opportunities that will help Illinois meet our renewable energy goal of 40% by 2030 and reduce health-harming and planet-warming pollution from our energy and transportation sectors. You and your community can be part of this effort by proactively taking advantage of these opportunities and more!
