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- ☢️ The Illinois Energy Economy
74th Edition
Happy Tuesday!
I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.
✍🏽 This Week on Landon in the Loop:
☢️ The Illinois Energy Economy
📊 Chart of the Week
📆 Events Around the City
☢️ The Illinois Energy Economy
How Our Energy Economy Ranks
Illinois generates 73.7% of our electricity from nuclear, making us a leading state in clean energy production.
With natural gas at 16.1% and wind at 7.1%, Illinois’ energy mix prioritizes low-emission sources. This mix not only reduces the carbon footprint but also ensures a steady and dependable energy supply.
Illinois has invested heavily in maintaining / upgrading our nuclear infrastructure, with over $300m allocated for projects in 2023 alone.
Our Energy Job Market
The Illinois clean energy sector saw a 3% job growth in 2022, driven by federal climate investments and the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.
We lead the Midwest in generation, grid & storage, energy efficiency, and clean fuels sectors.
Clean energy companies employ over 123,000 Illinoisans, growing by more than 3,000 jobs from 2021 to 2022 alone, with Chicago being the largest source with 85,415 energy jobs.
Why This Matters
Our reliance on nuclear significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to other states heavily dependent on fossil fuels. This aligns with broader environmental goals and positions Illinois as a leader in clean energy.
Our clean energy sector, supported by nuclear power, creates jobs, attracts investments, and stimulates economic growth. This energy leadership will be crucial in the AI revolution, as companies seek regions with sustainable energy solutions.
By maximizing nuclear power, we’ll reduce our reliance on energy imports, enhancing state energy security and ensuring that the energy needs of AI-driven businesses can be met locally.
📊 Chart of the Week
Investing between the coasts yields higher cash-on-cash returns relative to the capital raised, and Chicago is a prime example of this trend.
Companies here often raise less money, hire fewer people, and focus on doing more with less—leading to more efficient use of resources and impressive exit outcomes.
A 10x MOIC means the return is ten times the initial investment. For instance, a $1 million investment would return $10 million.
Chicago stands out with 45% of its exits in the 10x+ MOIC (multiple on invested capital) range, outperforming cities like New York (22%) and LA (29%). 81% of Chicago’s exits fall in the 3-10x range.
📆 Events Around the City
Fueling Startup Success
Hosted by Google
Wednesday
Chicago Tech Industry Mixer
Hosted by MixerCloud
Thursday
Stryke Sunset Cruise: Illuminating the Future Workforce
Hosted by Stryke
Thursday
#73 - Chip Growth in Chicago
#71 - Salary Shifts in Chicago
👋 See you next week!
