Illinois Lawmakers Champion Energy Affordability & Clean Energy

As a father, the owner of a solar energy company, and the state’s former sustainability director, I pay close attention to energy policies and prices. The cost of energy impacts all aspects of my life–my family’s finances, my company’s profit margins, and my customers’ energy bills.

Throughout this year, it was alarming to see our electricity prices skyrocket, while the Trump administration rolled back the very clean energy policies and programs that could help bring these costs down.

Fortunately, Illinois lawmakers are focused on developing solutions. In November, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, one of the strongest clean energy laws to be introduced anywhere in the country since Trump returned to office. CRGA is designed to reduce electricity prices and invest in making our grid more modern and reliable. Over time, these investments are expected to pay off by a 12:1 ratio—a reflection of the power of smart policy and planning.

Another benefit: more clean energy jobs. Since Illinois began enacting bold clean energy policies in 2018, we’ve expanded from 5 to 30 full-time employees, one-third of whom are Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs). And now, as a result of CRGA, I expect we’ll be able to hire even more people.

I’m proud and grateful to live in a state where our lawmakers take the energy affordability crisis seriously. Illinois legislators recognize that clean energy and a modern electrical grid are critical solutions to addressing that crisis. These solutions will help small businesses and families like mine save money while investing in a better, brighter future for our employees, our customers, and our children. Gov. Pritzker is expected to sign CRGA this month. What a great way to start the New Year!

Eric Heineman
CEO, Windfree Solar