Speaker Welch Applauds Passage of Historic Energy Proposal
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch applauded the passage of a landmark and comprehensive energy package in the House on Thursday that prioritizes the climate, saves jobs, and includes much needed utility ethics reform.
“What the House has accomplished Thursday is monumental and life changing for the future generations of Illinois," said Welch. "With the passage of this comprehensive energy proposal, Illinois is on the path to a greener future that prioritizes a reduction in carbon emissions, saves jobs, diversifies the energy sector and tackles necessary ethics reforms. I am incredibly proud of Leaders Evans, Gabel, Hoffman, and Representative Williams. It is thanks to their continued negotiations that we have a product our entire state can be proud of."
The proposal, which the Senate has signaled they will send to the Governor on Monday, is a result of months of good-faith negotiations to reach a consensus among many different interest groups. Leader Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) sponsored the measure that had the support of both environmental and labor groups, as well as all other stakeholders. Governor JB Pritzker signaled he would sign it into law as soon as the measure made it to his desk.
“For many years, comprehensive energy legislation that puts consumers and the climate first has been debated while scientists around the world have sounded the alarm about the growing impacts of climate change,” said Governor JB Pritzker “This bill puts the state on a path toward 100% clean energy and invests in training a diverse workforce for the jobs of the future. Illinois will become the best state in the nation to manufacture and drive an electric vehicle, and equity will be prioritized in every new program created. The days of utility companies writing energy legislation to pad their profits has ended because this proposal puts consumers and climate at the forefront, prioritizes meaningful ethics and transparency reforms, and institutes key ratepayer and residential customer protections.
“The shared goal among the Senate, House and Governor Pritzker has been to position Illinois as a national leader on reliable, renewable and affordable energy policies,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “This proposal accomplishes that shared goal. I commend the work the House has done to build on the progress the Senate had made.”
This measure includes a just energy transition that puts the state on the path to a carbon-free future addressing the present and dire issue of climate change. It saves thousands of good paying jobs in districts across Illinois by keeping nuclear plants open, while also helping our country build back better in a way that prioritizes Black and Brown communities and a diversified energy sector.