East Central Reporter

Chris Miller, representative for Illinois House District 101, said Democratic policies are to blame for making energy less affordable and less reliable.

"Radical Democrats have destroyed reliable and affordable energy in Illinois," said Chris G. Miller, State Representative for 101st District (R), according to Facebook.

According to a Facebook post by Miller, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is projecting an 18% to 22% increase in electric rates. He criticized current energy policies, claiming his household electric bill has increased by about 50%, with some bills even tripling. Miller said these rising costs result from "bad public policy," including the closure of coal plants and pressure on nuclear and natural gas sources. He warned that the energy policies supported by Governor J.B. Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers could eventually bankrupt Illinois residents.

Screenshot of State Representative Chris Miller's May 9 Facebook post | State Representative Chris Miller's Facebook page

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator manages the electric grid across 15 central U.S. states and Manitoba, Canada. It oversees electricity markets and collaborates with stakeholders to plan future grid needs. According to Renewable Energy World, in a recent capacity auction, MISO cleared $660.50 per megawatt day for all local resource zones for the summer. For the fall, prices split regionally, with the north clearing at $91.60 per megawatt day and the south at $74.09. Winter prices dropped to $33.20, while spring prices were $69.88 per megawatt day.

Miller was first elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 2019 and is an Illinois native. He is a third-generation cattle farmer and grain operator in Hindsboro and holds an associate degree in agriculture from Lake Land College as well as a Bachelor of Science in Education.