Renewable Energy

The Energy of the Future is Now

As the coal industry continues to decline, renewable energy offers a clear path to a cleaner, brighter future.

Problem: Burning Fossil Fuel Contributes to Global Warming

Producing energy by burning fossil fuels like coal, gasoline, diesel, and oil, creates carbon dioxide emissions that are a major contributor to the rising temperatures that causes climate change. Among the fifty states, Illinois is the seventh largest emitter of carbon dioxide from energy production and the fifth largest from transportation. As a state, we are a large part of the problem, and we must be a major part of the solution.

Solution: Just Transition to Clean Energy

Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable sources like sunlight and wind that are naturally replenished and emit no carbon dioxide. As such, they do not contribute to climate change and have far fewer adverse environmental impacts. Prairie Rivers Network works with a strong coalition of organizations that is spearheading an exponential growth in Illinois’ renewable energy sector as a viable and essential solution to climate change. With beneficial electrification, instead of using fossil fuels, we use electricity produced by renewable energy, for instance, to run our cars and heat our homes. Prairie Rivers Network supports beneficial electrification policies that will result in the removal of carbon emissions equivalent to that produced by 1 million gas and diesel powered vehicles. Decarbonization of the electric power sector involves switching our sources of electric power from carbon-based fossil fuels to electricity generated by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Prairie Rivers Network works to prevent the development of new coal mines, fracking, and oil and gas infrastructure, and to speed the transition from carbon-based electric power to renewable-based electrification. Prairie Rivers Network supports solutions that ensure that justice and equity are at the heart of Illinois’ clean energy future. The growing clean energy economy is about more than just fighting climate change. It is an opportunity for a just transition, to expand equitable access to public health, a safe environment, and quality jobs and economic opportunity, especially for economically disadvantaged communities, communities of color, environmental justice communities, and communities that will be hit the hardest by the changing energy economy and by climate change. Key actions that we are working on include:

• Advocate for sufficient funding to allow Illinois to meet Renewable Portfolio Standard goals (e.g., 100% renewable energy by 2050)
• Organize support for policies that decarbonize Illinois’ electricity sector by 2030
• Ensure just transition policies and programs are adequate and responsive to frontline fossil fuel community needs through engaging those communities
• Aid traditionally underserved communities through expanded access to energy efficiency programs, low-income solar incentives, workforce and business development efforts, and reformed electric rate structure
• Support beneficial electrification and the electrification of state and municipal fleets
• Incentivize smart technologies and energy storage