SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Senate Republicans are bashing the massive energy plan Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law last week. The GOP leaders told reporters in Springfield Wednesday that ratepayers deserve immediate relief and a renewed push for baseload energy.
Republicans told Democrats in October that the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act would lead to higher rates for families and businesses. Senate Republicans said their constituents are already squeezed by power bills, but CRGA will force even more people to struggle.
"It shifts billions of dollars in cost and risk directly onto hardworking taxpaying ratepayers," said Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro). "They call it an energy plan, but it's really not."
The law calls for Illinois to build three gigawatts of utility-scale battery storage. It will also bring more wind and solar projects online, invest in geothermal technology, lift the state's nuclear moratorium and help Illinois agencies better plan for energy demand spikes.
"It's a historic step forward to our clean energy vision," Pritzker said. "Once again, Illinois is stepping up where the federal government is failing."
The Illinois Power Agency and multiple clean energy organizations said the law will save Ameren and ComEd customers $13.4 billion over 20 years.
Republicans have filed a bill to repeal the state's shutdown dates for coal and gas plants, along with the construction of new natural gas peaker plants to improve energy capacity. They are also calling for a task force to study how recent energy laws have impacted electric prices and grid reliability.
"If Gov. Pritzker really wants to save people money, let's start by reimposing the rate caps that he got rid of last week," said Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). "That would be a great place to start. Let's start with not making the ratepayers pay for the battery storage."
The caucus has filed legislation to modernize and streamline the permitting process for new power generation projects by requiring agencies and local governments to act within strict timelines.
Still, you shouldn't expect quick action on these bills since senators won't return to the Capitol until Feb. 3.
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