skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report: Public Policy Can "Light the Way" for Solar in Illinois

play audio
Play

Friday, August 8, 2014   

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - While the availability of sunlight can make any state a solar leader, a new report emphasizes the importance of public policies that encourage solar power development.

According to the Environment Illinois Research and Policy Center, the state's progress on solar has added to the tripling of solar-energy output nationwide from 2011 to 2013. In Illinois, said Lauren Shinaberry, a legislative intern for the center, it increased by 4 percent.

"It went up from 46 megawatts to 48 megawatts for solar power," she said. "Although that doesn't seem like a big increase, it definitely plays a large role in supporting the solar job market in Illinois."

There are more than 2,000 solar-industry jobs in Illinois. The report confirmed a link between strong public policies and greater solar output.

Shinaberry said Illinois could follow the example of leading solar states by eliminating barriers to consumers "going solar" and providing financial assistance to expand it to any interested person, business or agency.

While Illinois ranks 25th out of 32 states for growth in solar power, Shinaberry said, state leaders are taking an interest in expanding it.

"Illinois' Solar and Wind Energy Rebate, which was introduced the end of last year - we feel programs like that really help to build the growth of solar generation," she said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Pat Quinn recently signed legislation that is expected to boost solar development. It requires the Illinois Power Agency to purchase up to $30 million worth of electricity from solar power sources in the state.

The report is online at environmentillinois.org.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021