The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 would create
20,000 new jobs in Illinois and save its average household $193
a year by 2020, according to a new report released by
Environment Illinois and the American Council for an Energy-
Efficient Economy. The federal bill, which passed the House of
Representatives in June and now moves to the Senate, introduces
new renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements. It also
contains “cap and trade” — a cap on carbon emissions and a
mechanism for companies to bid on emissions “credits” in a stock
market-type system. According to the report, the legislation
would also reduce Illinois’ annual carbon emissions by 9.7
million metric tons — equal to pollution from more than 1.7
million cars — by 2020. Brian Spranger, a field associate for
Environment Illinois, a citizen-funded environmental
organization, confirms that Illinois has much to gain from the
ACESA — including one of the highest potentials for increased
job growth in the nation. “The high job creati