(The Center Square) – Some Illinois lawmakers are warning of an energy cost crisis this summer.
State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, said there is an urgent need for hearings into the recent Midcontinent Independent System Operator capacity auction that returned a shocking $666 per Megawatt-day price across all zones in the summer. That same price just one year ago was $30. He said Illinois’ energy policies are to blame for the recent huge spikes in energy costs for Illinois utility customers.
“These new price spikes come on the heels of two summers of price spikes from previous MISO auctions, as customers are seeing their electricity bills double and triple in some areas of the state,” said Severin.
State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act’s CO2 emissions caps are unrealistic.
“The consequences are piling up,” said Halbrook. “We are seeing skyrocketing energy costs, unreliable service and an increasing dependence on imported electricity.”
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Sep. 15, 2021.
Recently, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced 88 awards totaling $57 million through the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program, Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, and Energy Transition Community/Zion Grant Program, initiatives under CEJA.
“These grants will help us build upon the progress that has already been made through CEJA while bolstering a diverse clean energy workforce,” said Senate President Don Harmon, D–Oak Park.
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, said due to misguided public policy like CEJA, as well as market factors, Illinois’ power generation capacity has taken a significant hit.
“We’re seeing energy generation go down at the same time technology and other investments need to be made to bring businesses here and the reliable and cheap energy we use to have a decade or more ago was our only competitive advantage with our neighbors, and we’re pushing that away by these poor political policies,” said Davidsmeyer.
House Republicans have introduced several measures, including House Bill 4050, to roll back CEJA provisions they said will keep Illinoisans working. One measure repeals a provision defining “clean energy.”
