Local GOP lawmakers warn Ameren customers of rising utility costs this summer, hope Democrats will help work on solutions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Local lawmakers are furious that Ameren Illinois will be hiking summer utility bills by 18% to 20%.

Republicans and Democrats know that Ameren customers have seen their electricity bills double and triple over the past two years.

House GOP leaders told reporters in Springfield Tuesday that Illinois is facing a significant decrease in power generation at the same demand is rising.

Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said the state is struggling to meet the demand without coal due to clean energy policies passed by Democrats.

"Skyrocketing prices, lost jobs, and serious concerns about the availability and reliability of electric power are hurting working families and seniors across the state," Davidsmeyer said.

The Illinois Commerce Commission said the MISO region shortfall is the state's most pressing energy issue.

House Republicans argue lawmakers need to work with public utility companies to ensure a reliable and affordable energy grid moving forward. Caucus leaders suggested Democrats should also agree to roll back provisions of the 2021 Climate & Equitable Jobs Act and extend deadlines for reduced or zero carbon equivalent and co-pollutant emissions by five or 10 years.

"We're facing increasing costs, decreasing reliability, and growing dependence on imported energy," said Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville). "This is energy we used to generate ourselves here in Illinois. CEJA has led to the premature closure of base-load coal and natural gas plants and the loss of good-paying jobs and reliable local energy."

Meanwhile, House and Senate Democrats are negotiating multiple proposals to try and address the growing demand for energy. Lawmakers could pass a plan in the final weeks of session to protect the state's power grid from surging energy demand from data centers by forcing companies to produce 100% of the power required for their technology. Other plans could lift the state's ban on construction of new nuclear facilities.