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Welch, D-Hillside, told The Center Square that the energy bill
lawmakers approved in October will work to lower energy costs.
The measure puts more emphasis on alternative energy like
batteries and also lifts the nuclear moratorium.
But, a study released by the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency and others said Illinois will have energy shortages if it
continues.
“I’m looking forward to the governor putting his signature on it
but all of my experts around the table say ‘we’re going to be
back at the table,’ and we’re going to continue to look to ways
to make things better and I’m listening to those experts,” Welch
said.
State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said he hopes Welch is
sincere, and urged the state to repeal the closure dates of coal
and natural gas power generation.
“These are not well thought out plans, they’re not well
orchestrated,” Halbrook told The Center Square. “You can’t just
arbitrarily set dates for closure without having a plan that
will work and get us to that point.”
The energy bill approved in October is one of two bills
remaining on Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk. He’s indicated he will
sign the measure.
Halbrook said the alarms continue to sound with a recent
Citizens Utility Board report for ComEd ratepayers to expect to
pay more and it’s to reverse course.
“There’s nothing been legislated that is going to make rates
cheaper, even though that’s what we’ve been told, we’re not
seeing it and the report tells that story,” Halbrook said.
President Donald Trump Wednesday evening told the nation that
costs are coming down. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's campaign
responded saying costs are going up.
Halbrook said Pritzker isn’t being honest when it comes to costs
for Illinois taxpayers, and Illinois policies are to blame.
“We’ve got the highest property taxes in the nation, the gas tax
is second highest in the nation, the list, you know, corporate
tax is right up there,” Halbrook said.
Jim Talamonti contributed to this story.
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