East Central Reporter

Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Champaign) talked about how the reliability on electric power is going to be of significant importance this summer during a May 26 news conference.

"The impacts on electrical power reliability are likely to be significant. We've seen the rising cost in the rolling blackouts in some foreign countries like Germany, domestically in California, and other locations," Halbrook said. "California has actually reversed the course recently and authorized the construction of natural gas plants to expand and also extend the life of one of their nuclear power plants. If base load generation continues to close, there is not enough renewable power sources to backfill the hole, then Illinois and MISO territory will continue to face these challenges. What is the plan to ensure low-cost energy to make sure that there are no longer brownouts or blackouts? The process to transition to alternative energy has failed dramatically in the state of Illinois." 

ComEd has been attempting to implement its energy efficiency program expansion following the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). If approved, ComEd will add approximately 30 cents to the average customer's monthly bill.

"CEJA is widely recognized throughout Illinois and beyond as ambitious clean energy legislation, and the ComEd energy efficiency programs that it supports will contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions," said Stacey Paradis, executive director of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Association, according to WSILTV. "In Illinois, energy efficiency is a key component to achieving climate targets while reducing household costs, decreasing emissions and improving indoor air quality and resiliency."

There are still many who do not support CEJA. Including manufacturers, businesses and other agencies. "It guts our state's clean energy goals, and it exempts large fossil fuel plants from our clean air and climate protections," JC Kibbey with Natural Resources Defense Council said, according to WIFR. "All these would be on top of the many compromises that industrial users already received in the course of negotiating this bill."