Big Energy enters “clean energy” debate

Posted on March 26, 2021
Jim Blessing, vice president of Downstate utility giant Ameren, tells a Senate panel about the “clean energy” bill his company supports. (Photo courtesy: Ameren Illinois)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – It sure sounds like there’s a lot riding on a “clean energy” bill, with the likes of Ameren Illinois president and chairman Richard Mark using his time to talk to state senators about it.

“Senate Bill 311 is not against rooftop solar. It’s not against community solar,” Mark said via Zoom Thursday. “And it’s not for large-scale solar only. Senate Bill 311 is pro-consumer, and it’s for the development of renewables at the lowest possible cost, using whatever generation method delivers those results.

“That’s what our customers want.”

The sponsor of the bill, State Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia), echoed the sentiment that consumers’ needs are uncomplicated.

“If the power goes out, they want to know that someone they trust will be there — soon! — to get it restored. They also don’t want any surprises when they open their bill.

“In short, when it comes to energy, they want stability, they want to be treated fairly, and, of course, they want jobs.”

Supporters of the “Clean Energy Jobs Act” see this bill as a rival, one which Big Energy very apparently supports.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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