Radogno Resolution Declares State Support for Argonne Energy Hub

The state of Illinois took the first step Thursday in supporting a federally-funded energy storage hub at .

Illinois Senate Energy Committee unanimously approved Senate Joint Resolution 53—introduced by Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont)—to declare the state's support for Argonne's bid to house a new, innovative energy storage hub and research facility.

Radogno testified before the committee, outlining the many benefits of the hub. According to a news release, the hub will employ world-class researchers to identify green, cost-effective ways to harness energy created from renewable resources and smart grid technology.

“Illinois is home to cutting-edge research and development facilities, and highly-respected and capable scientists and engineers,” Radogno stated in the release. “For many years our state has been viewed as a leader in science and technology research and development, due in no small part to the outstanding work we’ve seen produced by Argonne National Laboratory, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois. I know that collaboration on the Energy Hub between Argonne and its partners at these institutions would produce ground-breaking innovations in the area of energy storage.”

Radogno was joined by Edward Fetters, director of program management for the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition.

“Argonne National Laboratory’s proposed Joint Center for Energy Storage and Research (JCESR) provides a clear path for Illinois to organize around an emerging technology and a burgeoning global market in a way that has been unrealized in the recent past,” Fetters said. “It will bring together universities, industry and national labs, to build an infrastructure and create an ecosystem that will advance job creation and economic development in Illinois.”

Radogno said the energy hub would establish Illinois as a national leader in the green energy industry, and will also create much-needed jobs.

“As a state, we need to be thinking innovatively, while constantly pursuing opportunities that will bring good-paying jobs to the state," she said. "If Illinois is chosen to house the Energy Storage Hub, it would establish our state as a leader in a multi-billion dollar, developing industry that has potential to stimulate substantial employment and economic growth."

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