Springfield is abuzz with two very different pieces of energy legislation, one that could help electric customers and another that could hurt them.
One is the Illinois Clean Jobs bill (House Bill 2607/Senate Bill 1485), which would increase energy efficiency and renewable energy standards in Illinois. A CUB analysis found that the bill would save consumers $1.6 billion— an average consumer savings of $98 per year— and create 32,000 jobs per year, once it’s fully implemented.
(Tell legislators you support the Illinois Clean Jobs bill.)
The other legislation, the “Exelon bill” (SB 1585 and HB 3293), would cost ratepayers an estimated $300 million per year to prop up three of the power giant’s nuclear plants in Illinois—despite the fact that Exelon earned a cool $1.6 billion last year.
(Tell legislators you’re against the Exelon bill.)
We’ve rounded up Illinois’ best opinion pieces in favor of the Illinois Clean Jobs bill and against the Exelon bill.
Illinois Clean Jobs Bill
- Illinois 5th District Town Halls Show Support for Clean Energy Jobs, National Resources Defense Council, May 15, 2015.
- Polling Shows Illinoisans Ready to Lead on Clean Energy,” Henry Henderson/National Resources Defense Council, Huffington Post, April 21, 2015.
- “In the Spotlight: Grandfathers concerned about jobs … and the environment,” Mike Everett and Bob Jorgensen, Peoria Journal Star, April 18, 2015.
- “Study Finds Clean Jobs Bill Would Spur $23 Billion in New Clean Energy Investment, Drive Down Residential Bills,” Union of Concerned Scientists, April 15, 2015.
- “Here’s how Illinois can invest more in energy efficiency,” Becky Stanfield, Crain’s Chicago Business, April 13, 2015.
- “Clean Jobs Bill Has Potential to Create 32,000 New Jobs in Illinois,” Karen MacLeod/Clean Power Lake County Campaign, Chicago Tribune, April 13, 2015
- “Clean Energy Legislation in the Heartland Promises Jobs,” Dick Munson, Environmental Defense Fund, April 2, 2015.
- “Clean-energy bill is the better choice.” Aaron Hernandez, the News-Gazette (letter to the editor), March 20, 2015.
Exelon bill
- “Illinois energy bills are bad for consumers,” Bob Gallo, AARP, Chicago Tribune, May 4, 2015.
- “Policy Complexity and citizen participation,” Robert and Sonia Vogl, Illinois Renewable Energy Association, The Rock River Times, April 29, 2015.
- “Exelon’s rate-hike proposal is a bad bill,” Sun-Times Editorial Board, April 26, 2015.
- “New Analysis of Exelon Bailout by BEST Coalition,” Abe Scarr, Illinois PIRG, April 21, 2015.
- “Hold off a bit, please,” Rich Miller, Capitol Fax, April 17, 2015.
- “Exelon energy bill puts Illinois consumers on the hook,” Dynegy CEO Bob Flexon, Reboot Illinois, April 14, 2015.
- “Exelon’s nuke bailout bill only helps Exelon—but here’s an alternative,” Kevin Borgia and Lesley McCain, Crain’s Chicago Business, March 11, 2015.
- “Don’t fall for Exelon bailout,” Belleville News-Democrat Editorial Board, February 28, 2015.
We’ll refresh this blog post with the latest developments, so check back for updates.
