Energy efficient home standards for Illinois

Clean energy advocates and consumers won several victories at the tail end of the Illinois General Assembly session. A major bill setting statewide efficiency standards for new residential construction, HB 3987, passed Sunday night. It makes Illinois eligible for additional federal stimulus dollars tied to adoption of the latest national standards.

WAND TV did a good report that you can watch at their website or download directly here.



State environmental groups supported the bill so you can download a fact sheet for more details. The final House vote had 89 in favor and 28 opposed. It had an even larger margin in the Senate, 48-8. Governor Quinn is expected to sign.

Once again, Springfield area representatives, Raymond Poe and Rich Brauer, voted against the bill. I guess they would rather give up millions in federal stimulus dollars and have homeowners spend more on utility bills than support widely accepted efficiency standards. Senator Larry Bomke voted in favor. Thank you Senator Bomke!