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, GEJC’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).
“The 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,” said Naomi Davis, founder and CEO of Blacks in Green, in a report by Energy News Network. “We’ve got two years before we flip the switch and start monthly savings and clean energy comfort … and between now and then we’ll be enrolling thousands of community subscribers in conversations for organizing, training and hopefully inspiring them.”
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.
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