SE Illinois News

Amid concerns over rising electricity costs in Southern Illinois, State Representatives Dave Severin, Patrick Windhorst, and Paul Jacobs have introduced legislation aimed at repealing the state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The Republicans have branded their initiative as "Energize Illinois."

Rep. Severin criticized a recent Midcontinent Independent System Operator auction that resulted in a $666.50 per Megawatt-day price across all zones this summer, compared to $30 the previous year. He attributed these cost spikes to state policies.

"People are getting their first summer electricity bills, and the prices are shockingly high and unaffordable," Severin said. He noted that Democrats had ignored his calls for hearings into energy policies affecting coal, oil, and natural gas power generation in Southern Illinois.

The proposed HB 4088 seeks to repeal CEJA along with its 2045 deadline for ending fossil fuel use. Meanwhile, HB 4087 aims to establish a Power Grid Task Force to study state laws' impact on energy prices and grid reliability.

State Representative Patrick Windhorst supports the legislation as a Chief Co-Sponsor. "People are hurting, and they don’t know what to do," he stated. Windhorst urged Democrats and Governor Pritzker to address what he described as failed energy policies.

Paul Jacobs, also a Chief Co-Sponsor of the Energize Illinois plan, emphasized an all-inclusive approach to energy resources. "We have artificially and wrongly set deadlines for ending the use of coal, oil, and natural gas-generated power," Jacobs said.

Jacobs highlighted Illinois's substantial reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas as vital for energy independence rather than relying on neighboring states.