Issue Position: Energy Policy

Issue Position

The state of Illinois is at a crossroads with respect to energy use and the environment. We must re-examine our energy sources: fossil fuel use pollutes our air and skews the nation's foreign policy. Carbon-based energy will continue to become more expensive as we use it up, hurting our pocketbooks and the broader economy. The question is not if, but when we will make the transition to clean renewable energy.

Illinois must be a leader in this transition to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of green energy growth. We can invest in green technology and collect job creation dividends for decades to come, or we can let this opportunity pass us by as other states move more aggressively to shape the future. One of the advantages Illinois currently holds is our diverse economy, driven by everything from farming to financial services. We must support new growth industries to maintain and increase that diversity.

We must elect experienced leaders to implement a progressive policy that moves Illinois in the right direction. Christian Mitchell has worked with residents, community leaders and elected officials to invest in green jobs growth and reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption. As a community organizer, Christian drafted and helped pass the Urban Weatherization Initiative (UWI), which will train and employ workers to make energy-efficient home improvements. The UWI will reduce energy use and help develop a growing sector of the economy.

Christian will build on his success with the UWI. As he has throughout his career, he will listen to stakeholders and build relationships to put Illinois on a path toward energy sustainability and sound environmental stewardship. As State Representative, Christian Mitchell will:

*Push to reduce state energy use today,
*Fight for a cleaner Illinois going forward, and
*Work to invest in growth industries such as green technology.

Reduce State Energy Use

Making state government and its facilities and fleets more energy efficient will allow us to reduce environmental impacts and costs over the long term. We can take several steps to make this happen:

*Audit energy use for all state-owned property, offices and vehicles.
*As the state invests in the development of green energy and green manufacturing, we should support those industries by purchasing Illinois-made green products where possible.
*Purchases should be made based on total cost over the lifetime of the product. For example, a compact fluorescent light bulb may be more expensive than an incandescent bulb, but may cost less due to reduced energy consumption over the long term. For all supplies, facility construction and vehicle purchases, the state should make its procurement decisions based on long-term cost savings.
*To reduce costs and improve efficiency, all state purchases should be made in bulk across agencies and units of government.

Create a Cleaner Illinois

There are tangible benefits to clean air, clean water and access to open spaces. In addition to increased quality of life, we can reduce health care costs by eliminating pollutants that cause asthma and other diseases. To help create a cleaner Illinois, Christian will:

*Push for implementation of a long-term, state-wide transit plan.
*Promote access to trails for walking and biking, especially in Chicago to encourage active commutes and relieve vehicle congestion.
*Invest in high-speed rail development.
*Work with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Transportation and Chicago Metropolis 2020 to implement the regional transit plan.
*Shift the state's energy portfolio toward clean, renewable sources, including solar and wind power.
*Enforce all existing pollution-reduction measures, expand support for clean air and water, and preserve open spaces and wildlife.

Green Industry Investment

To improve the environment and the economy, Illinois should support growth industries such as green energy and related green technology. There are several ways we can promote green job creation:

*Push to ensure the Urban Weatherization Initiative is fully funded and implemented, and maintain rigorous oversight to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
*Maintain and expand Illinois leadership in green manufacturing.
*Invest in solar energy production. Illinois receives the same amount of sunlight as Germany and Japan, two leaders in solar energy development. We must take advantage of this and other natural resources as we invest in the state's future.
*Invest in wind turbines, wind farms and other manufacturing and technology related to the production of wind power.
*Support these and other environmental efforts through Brownfield redevelopment plans in which abandoned industrial land is used for solar and wind generation or manufacturing, recycling, waste reuse and urban farming.
*Beyond green energy, Illinois should support other green technology such as cleaner and more efficient batteries, better power delivery and ancillary areas that support green manufacturing and technology.
*As we make all of these investments, we must work to ensure that they provide a mix of high-tech and medium-skill jobs. The state's support for green job creation should offer opportunities to all residents and provide new paths to the middle class.

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