Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Renewable energy investments bring growth and new business to Illinois

By Michelle Froese | March 9, 2015

ELPC released its latest report on the Illinois clean energy supply chain.

ELPC has released its latest report on the clean energy supply chain in Illinois.

More than 400 Illinois companies serve wind power and solar energy markets, providing more than 20,000 jobs to people across the state who are manufacturing, financing, designing, engineering, installing, and maintaining renewable energy projects here and across the region. These were the findings of a recent study released by the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), joined by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce has underscored the importance of investments in renewable energy in driving business growth across metropolitan Chicago.

“When a wind turbine goes up in rural Illinois, it doesn’t sprout from the ground,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Every piece of a turbine, from the wiring and blades to the footing and ball bearings, are manufactured by skilled laborers in places like Cicero and Rockford. Where the turbine is sited is determined by engineers and project managers in places like Springfield and Palatine. And how the project is financed involves investment professionals, many right here in Chicago.”

The report identified more than 230 companies involved in the solar power supply chain, and 170 companies involved in the wind energy supply chain. The companies were identified through an analysis of data from several industry groups and then contacted individually to confirm their supply chain role.

For businesses involved in the installation and construction of wind and solar projects, increased renewable energy development results in new business and increased economic activity in the communities where they operate.

“When you look at this report, it’s clear that policies like the production tax credit for wind, the investment tax credit for solar, and our own renewable energy standards here in Illinois are pocketbook issues for the more than 20,000 Illinoisans whose work supports the wind and solar industries and the 400-plus companies deciding whether they are going to staff-up or slim down,” said Learner.

Elise Houren, Manager of Government Relations at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said having a robust renewable energy sector makes Chicago an attractive destination for sustainability-minded companies.

“Energy is an important part of the infrastructure that businesses look to when deciding where to open up shop,” Houren said. “We know many businesses have embraced sustainability and placed a priority on renewable energy. We have the companies and workforce to bring more solar powered businesses to the Chicagoland area and to develop more wind energy across the state using parts manufactured here in Chicagoland.”

Download the report here.

Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC)
http://elpc.org


Filed Under: News, Uncategorized
Tagged With: business, clean, ELPC, energy, growth, Illinois, report, solar, wind
 

About The Author

Michelle Froese

Related Articles Read More >

US government allows Empire Wind offshore project to resume construction
Richardson Electronics to deliver pitch energy modules to TransAlta wind fleets
Equinor halts work on Empire Wind offshore project after federal government order
ARESCA wants input on offshore wind standards

Podcasts

Wind Spotlight: Looking back at a year of Thrive with ZF Wind Power
See More >

Windpower Engineering & Development Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Browse the most current issue of Windpower Engineering & Development and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading wind power engineering magazine today.

Windpower Engineering & Development
  • Wind Articles
  • Solar Power World
  • Subscribe to Windpower Engineering
  • About Us/Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising

Search Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe