What's more, energy demands continue to grow.
There is a very good chance that renewable energy will not be sufficient by itself to provide for the energy needs of all Illinoisans in the timeframe established by law.
As deadlines inch closer, energy demands climb and renewable energy providers have not established themselves as quickly as first thought, Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has taken the initiative to find viable solutions.
“We must take a realistic approach to the future of energy in Illinois,” said Leader McCombie. “This is a complex issue that requires stakeholders and lawmakers to engage in ongoing dialogue about how well we are meeting existing deadlines, given current energy demands and the unattainable goals for ‘clean energy."
Not wanting to wait until an energy crisis, Leader McCombie recently filed a legislative package that takes a proactive approach to protecting access to energy sources by modifying the deadlines established in 2021. The legislative package includes the following bills:
- HB5897: Extends deadlines by 5 years for reduced or zero carbon dioxide equivalent for electric generating units and large greenhouse gas-emitting units.
- HB5898: Extends deadlines by 10 years for reduced or zero carbon dioxide equivalent for electric generating units and large greenhouse gas-emitting units.
- HB5899: Extends deadlines by 5 years for reduced or zero carbon dioxide equivalent for electric generating units and large greenhouse gas-emitting units that use coal as a fuel.
McCombie’s legislation awaits further consideration in the Illinois House of Representatives.
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