Governor Quinn Announces Illinois Receives Green Power Leadership Award

CHICAGO – October 22, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois has received the 2010 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Illinois was one out of only 10 green power purchasers to receive this award, which the EPA presented during an event held in conjunction with the 2010 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Portland, Ore.

“This award reaffirms Illinois’ commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, and our efforts to support the development of renewable energy sources,” said Governor Quinn. “In Illinois, we will continue to make purchasing green power a priority.”

The annual awards recognize the nation’s leading green power purchasers for their contributions to furthering the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. Illinois is buying a combination of renewable energy certificates (RECs) and utility green power products that meet more than 30 percent of the state’s electricity use.

“EPA congratulates our leadership award winners for demonstrating by example the importance of using clean, renewable energy,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "By using green power, the state of Illinois is leading the way toward cleaner air and a healthier environment while helping advance the market for renewable energy.”

According to the EPA, Illinois' green power purchase of 176 million kWh is equivalent to preventing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 24,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of more than 15,000 average American homes annually.

“EPA’s prestigious award distinguishes Illinois as a leader in our efforts to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainability,” said James P. Sledge, director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, the state agency responsible for energy purchases. “Proactively including green power into our energy portfolio is a good business decision that also helps improve our environment.”

Earlier this year, Illinois ranked second among listed states and as number 23 on the EPA’s National Top 50 Green Power Partners list. More information is available at: www.epa.gov/greenpower.

Governor Quinn has signed numerous Executive Orders and statutes into law to ensure greater energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, and protection of Illinois’ land, air and water resources. For more information about Governor Quinn’s sustainability initiatives, please visit www.Green.Illinois.gov.