Possibility of Illinois reaching 100% renewable energy by 2050

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Gov. JB Pritzker released his planfor transitioning the state of Illinois to 100% clean energy by 2050.

His plan includes eight different points, ranging from utility company transparency to phasing out conventional power.

All of this is in hopes of changing Illinois's energy footprint.

One of the bigger claims he's making is that the state could be completely ran on clean energy within 30 years.

"It's something that many other states in the country have already committed to," Jen Walling with the Illinois Environmental Council said. "And I think it's something really important for Illinois."

Some climate experts think Pritzker is on the right track, but it's an aggressive goal, says Michelle Knox with Sustainable Springfield Inc.

“In order for us to be 100% renewable, we have to be able to have energy storage," Knox said. "Basically, battery systems.”

Those systems would be able to store any extra energy made from wind and solar, so it could be used later.

According to Knox, there are many questions surrounding that.

“How does that get financed?" Knox said. "How do we get those storage systems in place? So, that we can build the renewable assets that we need to be able to meet the load and the peak demand of the citizens of Illinois."

On the other side, Walling says Pritzker's plan is achievable.

“I think the technology is already there in terms of storage and managing our energy flow," Walling said. "It's highly achievable with the technology that we have today and highly achievable in a way that doesn't raise costs for consumers."

We reached out to the Governor's Office for comment and they responded in an email that said:

"Working groups are currently meeting to discuss comprehensive energy legislation. The next time the General Assembly is in session will be later this fall for veto session."