A New Chapter in Urban Energy Use
Across the country, cities are racing to cut carbon emissions—and Chicago is no exception. But rather than relying solely on renewable energy sources like solar or wind, the city is also focused on something equally transformative: electrification.
Electrification means replacing fossil fuel-powered systems with electric alternatives. It’s not just about switching to electric vehicles (EVs); it includes updating how we heat our homes, cook our food, and power our infrastructure. In short, it’s about moving from gas to grid.
As part of Chicago’s broader Climate Action Plan and clean energy strategy, electrifying buildings, transportation, and city infrastructure is seen as a critical step toward decarbonizing the economy. And it’s already underway—quietly reshaping how the city powers itself.
Why Electrification Matters
Most people don’t realize how much natural gas dominates everyday life. In Chicago, roughly 80% of homes rely on gas for heating. Businesses and restaurants often depend on gas stoves. Public transit still includes diesel-powered buses and trains that don’t run fully on clean energy. The infrastructure that powers much of Chicago’s daily activity is deeply intertwined with fossil fuels.
Electrification aims to break that dependence—and for good reason. When combined with renewable electricity sources, electrification can:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Improve indoor and outdoor air quality
- Lower long-term energy costs for residents
- Improve public health, especially in vulnerable communities
- Modernize outdated and inefficient infrastructure
As climate change intensifies, the urgency to shift away from combustion-based systems grows stronger.
Electrifying Buildings: From Boilers to Heat Pumps
Chicago’s building sector is responsible for nearly 70% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. Much of this comes from burning natural gas for space and water heating. To address this, city planners, developers, and homeowners are increasingly exploring electric heat pumps—a clean, efficient alternative to furnaces and water heaters.
Thanks to federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), residents can receive rebates of up to $8,000 for installing heat pumps and other electric upgrades. Some projects in low-income neighborhoods are getting additional support from state and local programs, like ComEd’s Energy Efficiency Program and the Chicago Building Decarbonization Working Group.
Several new housing developments in neighborhoods like Bronzeville and Logan Square are being designed with all-electric systems from the ground up, eliminating the need for gas hookups entirely.
The Kitchen Revolution: Going Beyond the Pilot Light
Gas stoves have long been a cultural staple in American homes, but a growing body of research highlights the risks they pose, including increased indoor air pollution and asthma rates in children. In response, induction cooktops and electric ranges are gaining popularity—especially in multifamily units, city-run kitchens, and retrofitted older buildings.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has started pilot programs in some cafeterias to phase out gas appliances in favor of electric ones, part of a broader strategy to decarbonize public buildings.
Transit and Infrastructure: Powering the Commute with Clean Energy
Chicago is making steady progress on electrifying its public transportation systems. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) currently operates a small fleet of electric buses, with a goal of fully electrifying its bus fleet by 2040. The city is investing in charging depots and electric infrastructure to make this transition viable across all neighborhoods.
In addition, the Department of Aviation has launched electrification initiatives at O’Hare and Midway airports, introducing electric ground support equipment and increasing EV charging stations in parking areas.
The city is also working to expand its EV charging network for the public. As part of the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition, city planners are identifying high-need areas for new stations, especially in underserved communities where electric mobility has been slower to arrive.
Barriers and Challenges
Despite the momentum, challenges remain:
- Upfront costs for retrofitting homes and businesses
- A shortage of trained HVAC and electrical workers
- Limited grid capacity in some parts of the city
- Resistance to change due to culture or familiarity with gas appliances
To address these issues, Chicago is investing in workforce training programs, grid modernization projects, and outreach campaigns that promote the benefits of electrification. Local nonprofit Elevate Energy, for instance, provides assistance and education to low-income homeowners navigating electrification upgrades.
A Future Powered by the Grid
The long-term vision is clear: a city powered by electricity, not combustion. When paired with a cleaner, greener grid, this transformation can bring lasting environmental, economic, and health benefits to all Chicagoans.
While full electrification won’t happen overnight, the shift is already happening—on rooftops, in basements, on streets, and in kitchens. From reducing pollution to creating jobs in clean energy construction and tech, Chicago’s move toward electrification represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
The question is no longer whether we should electrify—but how fast and how fairly we can do it.