NEW DATA: Illinois first in nation for energy savings growth

CHICAGO – Illinois leads the nation for growth in energy savings through utility programs since 2013 according to the online Renewables on the Rise 2024 dashboard released on Wednesday by Environment Illinois Research & Education Center.

Illinois more than doubled electricity savings through its energy efficiency programs over the last decade, making it first in the nation for growth in energy savings over the last decade, and second in the nation for energy efficiency savings in 2022. The energy saved over the lifetime of the efficiency improvements made in 2022 would be enough to power 2.35 million U.S. households for a year.

“Illinois is setting the national standard for reducing energy waste, but we can do more,” said Theo Rosen, climate campaigns associate with Environment Illinois Research & Education Center. “The greater the reductions in energy consumption, especially during peak demand times, the easier it is to power our lives using clean, renewable sources.”

This analysis comes as concerns over Illinois’ ability to meet increased demand for power have led some to suggest keeping methane gas plants open longer. But Illinois’ clean energy and energy efficiency progress over the last decade shows a way forward that does not require extending our reliance on fossil fuels that exacerbate climate change and harm our health.

“The fact that Illinois was ranked second in the country for energy efficiency savings demonstrates how small efforts to upgrade individual buildings can accumulate into meaningful energy savings for Illinois’ grid,” said MeLena Hessel, Senior Director of Policy at Elevate. “Illinois has been at the forefront of ensuring the benefits of energy efficiency reach low-income customers and renters. This ranking demonstrates how much Illinoisans stand to benefit from smart investment in decarbonization, but our work does not stop there. As we continue this work, we need to uplift the disinvested communities most impacted by pollution to ensure everyone has access to affordable, safe, and clean energy.”

Beyond top-ranking energy efficiency savings, Illinois:

• has seen a 119% increase in wind generation between 2014 and 2023, making it 5th in the nation for wind power in 2023.

• ranked 6th in the country for total electricity generated from wind, solar, and geothermal in 2023.

• ranked 11th in the country for battery storage capacity in 2023. Growing storage capacity in the coming years is another clean energy strategy for meeting growing demand for power.

In addition to highlighting states that have made the most progress in adopting renewable energy technologies, the research also details the rapid gains achieved nationally over the past decade. According to the dashboard, America produced more than three times as much renewable electricity from the sun and the wind in 2023 as in 2014.

Renewables on the Rise 2024 documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the United States over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.

“Millions of Americans and Illinoisians are already reaping the benefits of the dramatic clean energy progress we’ve made so far,” Rosen said. “With federal tax credits turbocharging clean energy, now is the time for states to lean in on renewables, not walk back on our progress.”