The Chicago Regional Energy Snapshot , commissioned in 2014 , stated : “ Over the next 30 years , the Chicago metropolitan area will experience growth in population , and likewise , in energy consumption ”. The city ’ s growing demand for energy , in the face of increased awareness of the dangers of climate change , has led to Chicago ’ s Mayor Rahm Emanuel ’ s announcement of bold legislative steps intended to meet those demands in a way that will reduce the city ’ s carbon footprint . Chicago and its surrounding area “ leads the nation in electricity generation from nuclear power ”, the EIA claims , producing 12 % of the United States ’ total consumption . Currently , renewable resources account for only 6 % of electricity generated in the greater Illinois area . Although this figure has more than doubled in the past decade , the City of Chicago is planning to accelerate this trend still further by 2025 .
In April 2017 , Mayor Emanuel announced the city ’ s commitment to transitioning its 900-plus municipal buildings and operations to “ 100 % clean and renewable energy ” by 2025 , according to Chicago Tonight . This announcement closely followed the announcement of President Trump ’ s 2019 budget , which proposes the slashing of investment in clean energy and renewables , and would dissolve the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy , Forbes reports . In response , Emmanuel said in a press release : “ As the Trump administration pulls back on building a clean energy economy , Chicago is doubling down .”
Jack Darin , president of the Illinois Sierra Club , told CNBC : “ By moving boldly to re-power its public buildings with renewable energy like wind and solar , Chicago is leading by example at a time when local leadership is more important than ever .” The example set at a municipal level is also creating vibrant , disruptive new strategies in the private sector . The Clean Energy Trust is dedicated to accelerating the development of clean energy and renewable technologies across the Midwest . A recent press release stated : “ We have awarded $ 3.7mn in funding to 33 clean energy startups . Startups benefitting from our programs have gone on to raise an additional $ 112mn in follow-on-funding – and have created over 300 jobs .”
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