By WJBC Staff
SPRINGFIELD – House lawmakers are discussing a new clean energy proposal.
The revised legislation passed a House committee on a 9-6 vote. It has the support of Gov. JB Pritzker as well as Labor and Environmental groups.
“This is a comprehensive plan for a nation-leading roadmap to a 100% clean energy future that heads the call of science to act on climate change, and centers equity and environmental justice at every step of the way,” the Sierra Club’s Jack Darin said.
The bill includes $700 million for Exelon to keep the Byron and Dresden nuclear plants open, aims to put $1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030, and requires plants in Springfield and the Metro East area to reduce carbon emissions and eventually close coal-fired operations.
That didn’t sit well with Central Illinois Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield).
“I’m glad you’re worried about the health of Central Illinois, so am I, because I am a Central Illinoisans. And I’m also worried about the economic health of Central Illinoisans, including the jobs that are going to be lost in this bill. Downstate jobs are going to be sacrificed under your bill, which nobody seems to care about honestly other than people who live downstate.”
The revised plan includes money for wind, solar, and clean job grants and funding for the state to purchase electric vehicles to upgrade the government fleet.
WJBC Staff can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
