Solar Energy

The money will help more than 60 Illinois farmers and businesses install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

State Farm and Rivian are both contracting with clean energy providers to reduce their carbon footprints. State Farm said it's buying enough zero emission renewable energy to power its buildings in Bloomington.

A New York company, EDP Renewables, has requested a permit to build a five-megawatt solar farm east of Bloomington, while Denver-based ASD McLean IL Solar III wants to build a two-megawatt solar farm south of the city.

Illinois State University already recycles, tries to reduce food waste, and is swapping out lighting fixtures for lower energy LED fixtures. Elisabeth Reed, the director of ISU's Office of Sustainability and member of the Presidential Sustainability Council, said ISU's first Sustainability Strategic Plan plan offers a road map to do more.

The McLean County Board on Thursday unanimously approved two solar farms that after learning union workers would be involved in their construction.

McLean County will consider whether to permit construction of a solar farm that the county has already approved twice before.

A new solar farm could be coming to an area southwest of Bloomington. California-based Cypress Creek Renewables has applied to build what would be McLean County's second solar farm.

Exelon has completed the spin off of its nuclear power plant division into a separate company. Constellation is publicly traded on the NASDAQ, and Exelon owners received one share of Constellation stock for every three shares of Exelon they have.

The Illinois State University Solar Racing Team is preparing for an important race in a car members built themselves

McLean County government is exploring solar energy as a way to save on its energy bill, but will likely seek financial help before the program sees the light of day.