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Community-Based Solar Projects in Chicago Receive $1.6 Million

The Illinois Climate Bank unanimously passed a resolution to authorize loan funds of up to $1.6 million for three community-based solar projects owned by Green Energy Justice Cooperative (GEJC). Launched in 2022 by Blacks in Green, GEJCโ€™s funding now totals $2.9 million, with a portion coming from private funding.

The three projects were created to benefit traditionally under-resourced BIPOC communities in the greater Chicago area. The money will be devoted to the pre-development phase of the projects, including public outreach, an interconnection study, and a deposit for renewable energy credits awarded through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).

โ€œThe sweet spot of this pre-development funding is what we invest in building relationships, educating them about the power of cooperative ownership and management, and collaborating with them to build a clean energy economy right where they live,โ€ said Naomi Davis, founder and CEO of Blacks in Green, in a report by Energy News Network. โ€œWeโ€™ve got two years before we flip the switch and start monthly savings and clean energy comfort โ€ฆ and between now and then weโ€™ll be enrolling thousands of community subscribers in conversations for organizing, training and hopefully inspiring them.โ€

In December 2023, the Illinois Power Agency recommended awarding the three solar projects, valued at $25.7 million, with $12.5 million in renewable energy credits. The three projects, located in Aurora, Naperville, and Romeoville, Illinois, would each generate 3 megawatts. Once completed, they will provide the dual benefit of lowering the disproportionate energy burden in BIPOC and low-income households while providing a community stake in clean energy generation.

Learn more here.

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