Chicago Heights, IL – In a groundbreaking announcement, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, alongside Reactivate and ComEd, declared the launch of the 100th community solar site in northern Illinois. This marks a significant stride in advancing clean energy within Cook County’s environmental justice community.
Pioneering Environmental Justice
Governor Pritzker, a staunch advocate for clean energy, emphasized the state’s commitment to environmental justice and sustainability through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Signed in 2021, CEJA increased funding for the Illinois Solar for All program, providing access to initiatives like Reactivate’s Verduin community solar project for lower-income customers.
Empowering Communities with Solar
Community solar, exemplified by Reactivate’s Verduin project, enables ComEd customers, particularly those with lower incomes, to benefit from clean energy without installing personal solar panels. Subscribers receive credits on their ComEd bills for the energy produced by the solar farm. The Verduin project, set to be operational by December, will cover 20 acres and consist of approximately 5,200 solar panels, serving around 660 customers.
A Visionary Collaboration
ComEd’s CEO, Gil Quiniones, expressed pride in supporting Reactivate’s initiatives, emphasizing the potential for customers to save on electric bills while contributing to the expansion of renewable energy. Utopia Hill, CEO of Reactivate, highlighted the alignment of their projects with CEJA’s goals, incorporating prevailing wages, minority and women-owned business contracting, workforce training, and direct bill savings.
Future Prospects and Statewide Impact
Reactivate’s Verduin project is just one of six community solar projects in progress across northern Illinois, totaling 10.5 megawatts of clean energy. With CEJA targeting 40 percent renewable energy by 2030, the 100 community solar projects currently in operation benefit approximately 23,000 ComEd customers.
Navigating the Clean Energy Future
ComEd’s multi-year grid and rate plans, filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, underscore the commitment to CEJA’s objectives. ComEd 2030, the company’s vision for a carbon-free energy future, aims to meet customers’ evolving needs while ensuring equitable access to clean energy benefits.
Source：businesswire.com
