Energy Efficiency and Distributed Solar Energy Targeted to Underserved Communities: Perspectives on the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act

This Article focuses on one of the most comprehensive state laws adopted to date, aimed at significantly advancing energy efficiency and distributed solar generation in underserved communities, the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA). It begins by examining what constitutes energy justice and then discusses the disproportionate burdens and benefits related to energy production and use that underserved communities must deal with on a day-to-day basis. The Article then turns to a review of FEJA with a particular emphasis on the critical role community organizations played in designing, negotiating, and implementing the law. These efforts represent important development in both substantive and procedural energy justice.

It then looks at the role of one particular community organization, Elevate Energy, in implementing the law with an emphasis on multi-family housing. FEJA, the engagement of community groups in the development and passage of FEJA, and the role of Elevate Energy all play a role in addressing critical issues of energy justice. The Article concludes by looking at new Illinois legislation that would build on FEJA to create more energy-related job opportunities for underserved communities.