NW Illinois News

In a news release put out by Illinois State Rep. Dave Severin on August 5, he announced a new, energy-focused legislative package. 

In his release, he said, "I’m for an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to being energy independent, and I find the threat of individuals and businesses going bankrupt, and the real possibility of brownouts and blackouts due to reckless Democrat-sponsored energy policies completely unacceptable."

Severin has been an outspoken critic of the Democrats' agenda and of the performance of Governor JB Pritzker. About the recent legislation, he said, “The 2021 Climate and Equity Jobs Act (CEJA) is responsible for massive job loss, rising energy costs and threatening the energy grid throughout the State of Illinois,”

Particularly, he raised concerns about the loss of coal plants in the state, which means a loss of jobs for Illinois. He continued to say, "Illinois has already lost four downstate coal plants, accounting for more than 2,000 MW of reliable energy, since Governor Pritzker has taken office. The people I represent cannot afford for the State of Illinois to sit idly by while our energy security is being threatened. My bills will prevent even more price increases and eliminate grid instability for our residents that expect and deserve affordable, reliable energy.”

By retrofitting coal and natural gas plants with carbon capturing technology, HB 5780 would repurpose $10 million already collected by Illinois ratepayers for renewable energy. It would also require the creation of a Power Grid Task Force to study how state laws, including CEJA, affect energy prices and grid reliability. With a goal of ensuring Illinois' power grid's future stability and reliability, the task force will also explore ways to improve the mix of power supply within the state using existing energy resources and new technologies.

In 2021, Governor Pritzker signed CEJA, which forced coal and natural gas plants to close by 2045. House Bill 5781 repeals this provision.

The House Bill 5782 streamlines the permitting process and requires the Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance to improve interagency coordination in order to expedite permitting.