Michael Harrington
About this author
Michael Harrington is an energy policy analyst with more than 12 years of experience covering utility regulation, electricity markets, and energy infrastructure development across the Midwest. His work focuses on deregulated energy markets, grid modernization, consumer energy choice, and state-level policy reform. Before joining the editorial team, Michael worked alongside utility consultants and public policy organizations analyzing the impact of renewable energy integration and evolving energy legislation in Illinois. He is passionate about helping consumers better understand how energy markets work and how policy decisions affect everyday utility costs, reliability, and sustainability.
Energy & technology
How Illinois’ 2026 Grid Plan Is Turning Energy Storage And Flexible Demand Into Reliability Tools
Illinois’ 2026 energy policy is moving from broad targets to operational grid planning through battery storage procurement, virtual power plants, utility grid plans and a new statewide integrated resource planning process
August 23, 2026
Energy & technology
The Risks of Implementing Clean Energy: Navigating Grid Reliability in Illinois
Illinois is aggressively pursuing a carbon-free grid by 2050 under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). While the state's transition brings necessary environmental benefits and massive infrastructure investments, the rapid pace of replacing legacy fossil fuels with intermittent renewables carries inherent risks. Transitioning an entire energy economy requires a delicate balance of timing, generation…
August 10, 2026
Local Impact
Job Creation: Tracking the Growth of the IL Green Collar Workforce
Illinois’ clean energy transition isn’t just changing what powers the grid—it’s reshaping the job market. “Green collar” work in Illinois spans far beyond solar installers. It includes energy efficiency technicians, EV infrastructure electricians, wind service techs, HVAC specialists, building controls pros, manufacturing roles, and a growing ecosystem of project managers, designers, and operations staff. In…
March 2, 2026
Policy
The Interconnection Queue: Why So Many Approved Solar Projects are Stalled
If you’ve been following Illinois solar development, you’ve probably noticed a frustrating pattern: a project gets announced, secures land, files paperwork, and may even receive early “approval” milestones—yet it still doesn’t get built for years. The culprit is often the same bottleneck across the Midwest and much of the U.S.: the generator interconnection queue. Interconnection…
March 2, 2026
Policy
2026 CEJA Progress Report: Where is the Grant Money Going?
Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) isn’t just a clean-energy roadmap—it’s a funding engine. A big part of CEJA’s promise is that the transition to a lower-carbon grid should also create jobs, grow local businesses, and support communities impacted by energy-sector change. So where is the grant money actually going as Illinois moves through…
March 2, 2026
Projects
The $450 Million CPV Paxton Solar Investment (Ford County)
A major utility-scale solar proposal is taking shape in east-central Illinois: CPV Paxton Solar, a planned 200-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic project in Ford County with an estimated $450 million investment. For communities like Paxton and the surrounding townships, a project of this size isn’t just an energy story—it’s an economic development story. From construction jobs and…
March 2, 2026
Projects
The CPV Prairie Dock Solar Expansion (Livingston County)
Illinois’ clean energy buildout is increasingly defined by scale. While early solar development in the state often centered on community solar farms and mid-sized installations, the next wave is dominated by utility-scale projects measured in hundreds of megawatts and thousands of acres. One proposal drawing attention is the CPV Prairie Dock Solar Expansion in Livingston…
March 2, 2026
Projects
The Sunflower Projects: Revitalizing Southern Illinois Coal Mines
Southern Illinois has long been tied to coal. For generations, mining shaped the region’s economy, workforce, and identity. Now, a new chapter is unfolding. Through a joint venture between RWE and Peabody Coal, the Sunflower Projects aim to transform reclaimed coal mine land into more than 750 megawatts (MW) of solar generation and battery storage.…
March 2, 2026