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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS, CONVERSION TO CLEAN ENERGY BY SETTING MILESTONES FOR SUPPLIERS AND RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY IN ALL BUILDINGS, CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Cook County ranks as the largest county in the State of Illinois and the second largest county in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, two hundred and four U.S. cities and counties across thirty-seven states, including the City of Chicago, have already adopted ambitious 100% clean energy goals, and seventy-two U.S. cities and counties across seven states have already hit their targets to generate 100% of the energy used, community-wide, from clean, non-polluting, and renewable sources; and
WHEREAS, more than thirty-nine) percent 39% of ComEd's current electricity comes from emission-free energy production including nuclear and renewables; and
WHEREAS, the County's commitment to 100% clean energy will create good local jobs for residents of Cook County, reduce air pollution and associated public health risks, and save consumers money; and
WHEREAS, "clean energy" and "renewable energy" include energy derived from wind, solar, existing hydroelectric, geothermal, biogas, and wave technology sources. These sources of energy have significant public health and co-benefits associated that can help address pressing environmental justice challenges in sensitive communities in Cook County and around the country; and
NOW, THEREFORE, The Cook County Board of Commissioners of Cook County, Illinois, hereby resolves, that One Hundred Percent (100%) of electricity consumed in Cook County shall be generated through renewable-energy resources and associated technologies by 2040; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that priority will be given to the lowest cost measures to meet energy needs including weatherization, cogeneration, county heating and cooling, decentralized electricity generation, smart grids/microgrids, the use of industrial waste heat, building controls, and automated -lighting, programs that create an energy-saving culture in Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Cook County will create structured mechanisms to include low-income citizens in the benefits to be derived including creating quality careers adhering to local source hiring, a just transition for workers displaced by fossil fuel reduction, equitable access through ownership and benefits to new opportunities, for historically marginalized communities, and affordable, clean-energy options.
1. the public will have an opportunity and be encouraged to participate in the process for planning and implementation; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution will become effective upon approval.
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