ABP: Minimum Equity Standards (MES) Launch and Overview

April 14th, 2023: The IPA launched the Minimum Equity Standard (MES) for Illinois Shines today. The Minimum Equity Standards are an important component of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) that helps expand and prioritize access to the clean energy economy for businesses and workers from communities that have previously been excluded from economic opportunities in the energy sector. 

What are the Program Year 2023-2024 requirements for installers?

• Beginning in Program Year 2023-2024, which starts June 1, 2023, at least 10% of the project workforce for each entity that participates in Illinois Shines that year must comprise Equity Eligible Persons (EEP).
•  By 2030, at least 30% of the project workforce for each entity participating must comprise EEPs.

What needs to be done?

1. MES Compliance Plan Deadline: Every AV, Designee, and Sub Designee needs to submit a MES compliance plan to the ABP by June 1, 2023. The IPA has made a Sample Plan available online. 

2. Non-Compliance Submission: AV’s and Designees must submit whether they are able to comply or not. 

3. Waiver Request: Companies that cannot comply must Submit a MEC Waiver Request, which will be granted in rare circumstances where significant due diligence is proven towards meeting MEC standards. 

Who is eligible? 

The establishment of a Minimum Equity Standard (MES) is applicable to all Approved Vendors and Designees participating in the Agency’s Adjustable Block Program (“Illinois Shines”) and Sub-Designees. 

In addition, these roles are eligible: 

• Employees, contractors, sub-contractors, and their employees.
• Include job duties directly involved with or substantially related to the construction, development, or operation of a project that is or will be participating in the program. 
• The Illinois workforce in administrative, sales, marketing, or technical roles.

What are the ways to qualify as an equity eligible person (EEP)?

An employee can be determined as an EEP if they have graduated or are currently enrolled in the foster care system, were formerly incarcerated, or whose primary residence is in an Equity Eligible Investment Community determined by the map of eligible communities. 

In addition, graduates or former participants in these programs are also eligible. 

• Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program 
• Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program
• Illinois Climate Works Pre apprentice Program
• Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program 
• Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program
• FEJA created jobs through solar training or multicultural jobs programs. 
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Further reading about who qualifies:

Become an Equity Eligible Contractor