SPRINGFIELD — Measures proposed by the Illinois State Council aimed at increasing the diversity of wind and solar work require a more transparent report on the level of participation of minority-owned companies in clean energy work. Probably.
Congressman William Davis, D-Hazel Crest, advanced House Building 4217 this week through the House Energy and Environment Committee. The bill aims to increase “diversified participation in projects that may include African-American, Latino-American, and female-owned companies.”
Under the bill, energy suppliers that generate at least 100,000 customers and 500 kilowatt-hours or more, and companies that develop, install, or maintain renewable energy projects with annual revenues in excess of $ 15 million will have procurement targets and spending. You need to submit an annual report on. About contracts with female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned companies and SMEs.
The annual report should outline a purchase plan for a particular product or service that the company plans to procure within the next 6 to 18 months, including the procurement code used by the company. According to the bill, this is an effort to help entrepreneurs and diverse businesses understand future opportunities for companies to submit purchase plans.
“Some of our efforts, as we have done in many other areas, ask individuals doing it, provide reports, fill out reports, and they relate to diversity. Start by showing what you’re doing, not just what their numbers look like, but in some cases there are plans to increase their diversity over time, “Davis said.
Companies with annual sales of less than $ 15 million may be exempt from filling out diversity reports, but will have the opportunity to fill out as needed.
Lobbyist Dan Johnson, who represents the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, said the ideas in these reports serve as a bridge between large purchasing agencies and minority-owned, female-owned, and veteran-owned companies.
The report is under the diversity of suppliers on the Illinois Commerce Commission website. This allows utilities to easily find and contact the business they are looking for.
Renewable energy focuses on maintaining wind and solar power plants, so Johnson said when building these power plants, the law still considers the reality of renewable energy businesses and suppliers. I said I didn’t. He said the language of HB 4217 would align the standards with the Clean Energy Employment Act.
“In a sense, we’re trying to keep up with the diversity of the workforce included in the (CEJA package), and we’re trying to keep up with the diversity of our suppliers,” said Johnson.
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Article Courtesy of Illinois News Today: https://illinoisnewstoday.com/bill-focuses-on-increasing-supplier-diversity-in-wind-and-solar-projects-news/469048/
