The purpose of the Energy Council is to encourage the development and availability of all kinds of energy and conservation measures in an environmentally responsible and cost effective way. Energy companies are one of the cornerstones of Illinois’ economy. Therefore, our state needs policies that promote the continued expansion of energy production in Illinois, allow for development of energy resources and infrastructure to meet the state’s and nation’s increasing energy demands. These policies will also help keep energy costs competitive and attract business to Illinois. The Energy Council is one of several issue-specific councils working under the umbrella of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
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Op-Ed: Energy Industry Can Power Illinois' Economic Growth
By President and CEO Doug Whitley
Elected officials scrambling to keep Illinois' fiscal lights on should take note of a recent study on the economic power of our state's energy industry conducted by Northern Illinois University's Regional Development Institute.
Commissioned by the Illinois Chamber Foundation, the first-of-its-kind study revealed that the Illinois energy industry creates $80 billion annually in direct economic output—three times as much as the state's automotive industry.
The study also showed Illinois' energy industry, which includes everything from coal to alternative energy sources, directly employs more than 50,000 full- and part-time workers and indirectly supports more than 100,000 additional jobs.
Beyond solutions involving tax hikes and budget cuts, we badly need economic growth to help pull ourselves out of this fiscal morass. Energy is one of the industries with the potential to power Illinois' economy today and for decades to come.
When 100 employees are added to the energy industry, the NIU study found, 249 additional jobs are created in the state. That's partly because energy jobs are good jobs: On average, Illinois' energy workers earn wages 50% higher than the state average. The study also found that for every $100-million increase in economic output by the energy industry, state employment increases by approximately 180 workers.
Billions of dollars will be spent on energy efficiency, generation and infrastructure in the United States during the next few decades. Illinois must remain a leader in developing the 21st-century energy portfolio.
To do that, our state leaders need to make Illinois the destination for energy research, expertise, employment, construction and production. How?
Modernize our regulatory system so it's thorough and efficient instead of understaffed and woefully slow. Commit to analyzing best practices and implementing appropriate changes in our state's regulatory permitting process. Business investment and employment can increase if Illinois has a regulatory system second to none in the Midwest in predictability and thoroughness.
Attract energy development by negotiating incentives that bring energy generation investment to Illinois. The governor found a way to provide Ford Motor Co. with incentives to keep its Chicago plant thriving—we should look at the same kinds of incentives when it comes to energy generation facilities.
Embrace energy-efficiency programs and look for other incentives that can help government, residential and business customers save energy and money. Designing, building and retrofitting homes and buildings to make them more energy efficient offers tremendous potential for small businesses (i.e. architects, designers and builders) and building owners alike.
These are just a few ideas for what needs to be a broad portfolio of activities that will create the kind of return on investment we need to power Illinois' economic recovery.
July 22, 2010
What's going on in the world of Illinois Energy?
NEW STUDY FINDS ILLINOIS ENERGY INDUSTRY EMPLOYS 50,000; CREATES $80 BILLION IN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Study is first comprehensive look at industry, shows energy jobs pay off for entire state
The energy industry is a powerful engine in the Illinois economy, directly or indirectly producing 150,000 jobs and creating $80 billion in economic output, according to a groundbreaking study released today by the Illinois Chamber Foundation.
The study shows how important it is for Illinois to retain and attract well-paying energy jobs. The study, “The Economic Impacts of the Energy Industry in Illinois,” was conducted by the Regional Development Institute (RDI) at Northern Illinois University and includes these findings:
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs – Illinois’ energy industry directly employs more than 50,000 full- and part-time workers. In addition, the energy industry indirectly supports approximately 100,000 additional full- and part-time jobs as a result of energy industry operations.
Three times the impact of the automotive industry – Illinois’ energy industry annually creates $80 billion in direct economic output, three times as much as the automotive industry in Illinois.
Good jobs at good wages – While employing just 1.9 percent of the state workforce, the energy industry accounts for 2.75 percent of employee compensation – which means that energy jobs pay above-average wages to its employees.
Huge Taxpayers –The energy industry generates nearly $2.9 billion in federal taxes annually including corporate, personal, payroll and other taxes. The industry also has a significant impact on revenue to state and local government entities. The industry accounts for $2.3 billion annually in taxes to state and local units of government, which includes $1.1 billion in property taxes, $960.7 million in sales taxes, $115.2 million in corporate income taxes, and $152.9 million in personal income taxes.
Energy growth = economic growth – Growth in the energy industry brings tremendous benefits to the Illinois economy. When 100 employees are added to the energy industry, 249 additional jobs are created in the state. For every $100 million increase in output of the energy industry, state employment increases by approximately 180 workers and the wealth of the state increases by $425 million.
Energy Express Archives
Website helps Illinois businesses get started down the path of energy efficiency, money savings!
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and its Energy Council formally unveiled a new website that will be a key resource for Illinois businesses of all sizes that are looking for ways to use energy more efficiently and save money on their energy bills. Found at www.ilenergysmart.biz, the site provides information for businesses to get started on their energy efficiency projects.
“Every day, more and more business owners are waking up to the fact that they’ll have to find ways to use energy more efficiently and conserve energy to stay competitive and save money,” said Tom Wolf, executive director of the Illinois Chamber’s Energy Council. “However, you can’t just look up ‘efficiency’ on Google and find the resources in the state and in your community that can get you started. Our website was created to give businesses the information they need to kick start their energy efficiency projects.”