“In particular, we are urging House/Senate conferees to make sure that new energy policy takes balanced steps toward greater energy efficiency and the development of the country’s vast renewable energy resources,” said Johnson, a member of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus.  “In turn, we will enhance our energy security and reliability, keep energy dollars at home, diversify our energy supply, lower greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, improve public health, and create jobs.” 

Specifically, the Congressional initiative is designed to maintain and strengthen aspects of both the existing Bills, and create a final version of a national energy policy that contains valuable clean energy provisions. 
1) The National Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is strengthened and includes language that promotes research and development of renewable energy like wind power, landfill gas resources and biomass (extensive research in biomass energy currently is taking place at the U of I).  The RPS requires use of these renewable resources.
2) The Appliance Efficiency Standards program is strengthened and expanded to provide businesses and consumers incentives for energy efficient products and practices.  U.S. refrigerator manufactures, in response to standards, have tripled the energy efficiency of their products in just 25 years; this bill promotes further development of efficient household appliances. 
3) The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research and Development Programs will accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. 
4) The Net-metering language helps ensure that owners of small power systems are able to safely and economically connect their systems to the grid and reduce their energy bills.  Illinois and small businesses that produce more power than they can use, feed the surplus back to the utility and pay for only the net power used over the billing period.

“An excellent example of the positive effects of this legislation is an expanded wind power industry in Illinois, perhaps the basis of brand new economic development,” said Johnson.  “Several sites around the state have been thoroughly tested as potential wind farms, including one in eastern McLean County.  Areas in Edgar, Coles, Champaign and Piatt Counties have also shown potential.  Farmers there would be able to gain new income for merely allowing wind turbines on their properties.  Additionally, NEG Micon, an Illinois-based company with a facility in Champaign, manufactures wind turbines and would see growth.  That could mean new jobs in production, service and maintenance.  Finally, Illinois power companies could access the wind power that is produced right here, rather than seek other sources of power that are not as environmentally friendly and often produced out-of-state.”

“NEG Micon is thrilled to be giving back to the people and businesses of Illinois with the construction of the state’s first commercial wind farm.  This wind power plant will provide farmers supplemental income for leasing their land to host wind turbines, it will spur the local economy with construction jobs, and will provide environmental and health benefits to thousands of people, not just residents of Illinois, said Andris Cukurs, president and CEO of NEG Micon North America, headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

Rep. Johnson noted that many of the benefits Illinoisans would see from an expanded wind power industry are at least 8 to 10 years down the road.  However, two companies have already begun building the Crescent Ridge wind farm near Princeton in northwestern Illinois.  Along with the creation of Crescent Ridge, thorough studies are continuously conducted to make sure the operation is as efficient, effective and environmentally friendly as possible.