Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced the finalization of a deal between the city and retail electricity supplier Constellation, in collaboration with Swift Current Energy, to shift all city facilities and operations to run on renewable energy by 2025. This makes Chicago one of the largest cities in the country to commit to such a move. 

The contract is valued at up to $422 million, with an initial five-year term with Constellation starting in January 2023. As part of the agreement, beginning in 2025, Chicago will source energy from a new solar power plant currently being built in Sangamon and Morgan counties to partially power its large energy uses, such as the airports, Harold Washington Library Center, and the Jardine Water Purification Plant. 

“I am incredibly proud to advance this commitment to transitioning all city operations to 100% renewable energy by 2025,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “The signing of this agreement demonstrates that the City of Chicago is leading by example and driving high-impact climate action, building the clean energy workforce of the future and equitably distributing meaningful benefits to foster the local clean energy economy for all.”   

This agreement represents a major step forward in reducing Chicago’s carbon footprint and accelerating the transition to renewable energy outlined in the 2022 Chicago Climate Action Plan (CAP), which calls for a 62% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Chicago is now expected to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 290,000 metric tons each year, equivalent to emissions associated with 62,000 passenger vehicles, according to estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Additionally, Chicago plans to procure renewable energy credits from other sources for its remaining power uses, such as small and medium-sized buildings and streetlights. Under the agreement, Constellation and Swift Current Energy have also reportedly made financial commitments to help fund job training, apprenticeships, educational, and other programs that are focused on the development of a sustainability-focused workforce. Aside from the contract, the city has also begun transitioning its fleet to all-electric vehicles.

“As the owner or operator of over 425 facilities city-wide, including City Hall and one of the world’s busiest airports, it is imperative that we as city leaders take all measures necessary to decarbonize our assets and to mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change,” Acting Commissioner for the Chicago’s Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS) Sandra Blakemore commented on the agreement.  

AIS and Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar are now expected to lead strategic planning to identify opportunities to encourage additional local, distributed renewable generation, city asset energy efficiency projects, and energy storage in the city itself. Chicago’s goal is to run all city operations on 100% renewable energy by 2035.