Illinois is committed to ensuring that coal communities have the support they need to navigate the clean energy transition. In fact, our state’s nation-leading climate legislation, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, has created policies and programs to support communities and workers impacted by closures of electricity generation plants and coal mines. Similarly, the federal government is committed to catalyzing economic revitalization in hard hit energy communities across the country.
Below is a summary of state and federal programs and technical assistance opportunities aimed at supporting energy communities. Click the links to learn more about each of these opportunities.
Please reach out to Prairie Rivers Network’s Amanda Pankau if you have questions or would like to talk about these opportunities in your community, apankau@prairierivers.org.
Energy Transition Community Grant Program
This annual grant program was created by CEJA and the grants are available to support communities in planning for or addressing the economic and social impact of a power plant or coal mine closure.
Just Transition Fund
JTF provides grant and technical assistance to remove barriers communities face applying to federal funding, and engage government agencies to make funding programs more accessible and equitable.
Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Scholarship Program
A scholarship program that was created by CEJA to provide tuition assistance to the dependents of laid off energy workers.
Energy Communities Tax Credit Bonus for Clean Energy Projects
Applies a bonus of up to 10% (for production tax credits) or 10 percentage points (for investment tax credits) for clean energy projects, facilities, and technologies located in energy communities.
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
BRECC is an initiative of the National Association of Counties that serves coal communities seeking to revitalize and diversify their economies.
Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities
The Energy Communities IWG is a federal initiative involving twelve federal agencies and a directive to promote investments into the nation’s energy communities.
Great Lakes Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center
The Great Lakes TCTAC provides technical assistance to Midwestern communities and nonprofits navigating environmental issues in rural, coal, and disadvantaged communities.
Solar Resources for the Communities and Non-profits
There are unprecedented state and federal financial incentives to help pay for solar projects for local units of government and nonprofits, including increased incentives for developing projects in energy communities. This document summarizes the incentives and provides definitions for common solar programs and terms.
Coal Ash Information and Map
Prairie Rivers Network maintains an interactive coal ash map– a one-stop-shop for anyone seeking answers about coal ash disposal and its impact on our environment and communities across Illinois.
Abandoned Mine Lands
Historic amounts of funding are available to reclaim (i.e. clean-up) abandoned mine lands– coal mine areas that were mined before 1977.
Illinois Energy Community Reinvestment Emails
Prairie Rivers Network’s Amanda Pankau sends a regular email that summarizes funding, technical assistance, and networking opportunities, curated for energy community stakeholders. Email Amanda at apankau@prairierivers.org to receive these emails.
