Sen. Sue Rezin at the energy bill signing with Gov. Pritzker | Facebook
Sen. Sue Rezin at the energy bill signing with Gov. Pritzker | Facebook
Veteran state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Rezin) stands behind Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to turn Senate Bill 2408 into law.
“This morning the governor signed Senate Bill 2408, which ensures that our state’s nuclear fleet stays online and preserves thousands of jobs that they provide to our local communities,” Rezin posted on Facebook of the state’s new clean energy law. “It’s official.”
In making the move official, the governor took time to stress it now makes Illinois the only Midwestern state in the country requiring 100% carbon-free energy by the year 2045.
"We can't outrun or hide from climate change," Pritzker told WQAD. "There is no time to lose. But what we can and must do, is fight to stop and even reverse the damage that's been done to our climate. As of today Illinois is a force for good, for an environmental future we can be proud of."
With the bill including language that paves the way for a $700 million investment in Exelon and its plan to keep nuclear plants in Byron and Morris in business, the governor is also selling the measure as legislation that “doubles” the state's investments in renewable energy and "makes it clear to the world that Illinois is open for business with long-term stable financing to boot."
SB 2408 also establishes a $4,000 electric vehicle credit for all Illinoisans and up to an 80% rebate for building a charging station.
"In short, with economic growth and jobs woven into its fabric, this new law is the most significant step Illinois has taken toward a reliable, renewable, affordable, and clean energy future in a generation," Pritzker said.
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