McLean County Times

Illinois State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) has begged Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) and his administration to lift restrictions on traditional energy generators to keep electric prices low and to be sure there's enough power throughout the state. 

Caulkins spoke out about the issue during a news conference on May 26.

"We are facing an immediate crisis. This crisis starts next week, June 1st. Our electric bills will soar," Caulkins said. "We've already seen an increase in the gas bill that's due in part to some world problems, but it's also due to the Biden Administration trying to impose their green new deal on this country. But, in Illinois, our ability to control our electric prices at the consumer and industrial level are greatly affected by policies of The Illinois EPA, which is controlled by Gov. Pritzker and also the legislation that is being passed through the General Assembly."

Caulkins was joined by his Republican colleagues to present what they believe to be solutions to the energy "crisis" Illinois is looking at in the future.

"The Illinois EPA today can change the regulations on emissions for our gas-fired generators," Caulkins added. "If they would do that, we would have sufficient power to get us through this bridge. We will also need to get together and figure out how we're going to incentivize the other generators in this state, the coal-fired generators, to stay operational."

Caulkins noted that other states, like Indiana, are faced with the same problems, but leaders there have allowed gas generators to be built and also halted the decommissioning of some coal-fired generators. 

"So, our plea today is to the Pritzker Administration to get to your Illinois EPA Director and tell them we need to lift these restrictions on our electric generators, our gas-fired generators," Caulkins said. "We're going to need that electricity this summer, this winter, and next year. We've got a serious problem. Let's get busy fixing it."

The issue stemmed from ComEd's attempt to implement its energy efficiency program expansion following the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). According to WSIL TV, if the measure is approved it would add about 30 cents to the average customer's monthly electric bill. 

Stacey Paradis, Midwest Energy Efficiency Association Executive Director, told WSIL TV that CEJA is an "ambitious clean energy legislation" that aims to significantly decrease emissions. 

"Energy efficiency is a key component to achieving climate targets while reducing household costs, decreasing emissions and improving indoor air quality and resiliency," Paradis added.

Manufacturers, businesses and other agencies are among those against CEJA. JC Kibbey, with the National Resources Defense Council, told WIFR the bill "guts our stat's clean energy goals, and exempts large fossil fuel plans from our clean air and climate projections."