(The Center Square) – Modifications to Illinois’ renewable energy policies that are soon to head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk could increase costs to taxpayers and ratepayers, some warn.
On the final day of lame duck session for the 103rd General Assembly Tuesday, state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, outlined House Bill 587 that updates the state’s policies on so-called “clean energy.”
Recent reports indicate the state’s goals of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050 are not being achieved.
The measure includes more flexibility to meet goals for solar and wind and corrects a problem with large utilities to be able to start renewable projects.
“This change in the bill would essentially signal to the banks that the [Illinois Power Agency] would honor the contracts, that they will get paid,” Gabel said.
State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, questioned why the state is set to subsidize energy generation that can’t sustain itself.
“If a project doesn’t get financed, it’s because it’s not feasible to be a working project,” Halbrook said.
Another provision of the bill would create an Illinois Commerce Commission workshop on energy storage procurement.
State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, said the state has a plethora of energy storage already.
“[Prairie State Generating Company], they right now have a 90-day battery backup, you know what that is? It’s a pile of cole in southern Illinois,” Severin said.
Asked if the measure would lead to rate increases on consumers, Gabel said they don’t “expect a rate increase.”
“Even if rates go slightly above the cost cap in one year, that money is essentially kind of being borrowed from next year,” Gabel said.
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, doubted there wouldn’t be increased costs, especially considering taxpayer subsidies for such programs.
“Somebody has to pay for the cost of this, right? And it is the consumers. It is our taxpayers. It is our ratepayers that pay for every bit of this bill,” Davidsmeyer said.
Other opponents of the bill said many in southern Illinois have already had their energy bills increase 50% or more because of previous energy policies approved by Illinois Democrats.
The measure cleared both chambers before the 103rd General Assembly adjourned and can now be sent to the governor’s desk for his signature.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which oversees power generation among several states, including large portions of Illinois, shows 38.4% of power being generated by coal, 34.5% being generated by natural gas, 12.8% being generated by nuclear, 9.7% generated by wind and 1.3% generated by solar.
Current state law phases out coal fired power plants by 2030 with the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.
