22-05-2025
Illinois GOP criticizes clean energy plan over cost concerns
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Illinois Republicans are sounding the alarm about a proposed clean energy plan, saying it will only increase costs for you.
The goal of the Clean and Reliability Grid Affordability Act is to accelerate Illinois' transition to renewable energy. It would upgrade the power grid and create a battery storage plan. Large data centers would also be required to supply their own energy.
'Illinois is on the brink of an energy crisis, a crisis driven by bad policies from the Pritzker administration,' said State Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Pekin).
'The Pritzker Power Plan is bad for job creators, bad for families, bad for taxpayers and ratepayers,' said State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria).
Supporters like the Illinois Environmental Council said the bill will accelerate clean energy, boost reliability, and protect consumers from high energy bills. But Republicans said they're not buying it.
'You have to have an environment for economic growth. You can't offer incentives for data centers and then two years later, turn around and say, no, we want to penalize data centers. We require data centers to now bring their own power. And again, not just data centers, but all sorts of manufacturing opportunities that could be a lifeblood for a small town, providing hundreds of jobs throughout the state of Illinois,' said Spain.
'Energy intensive manufacturers can expect to experience as much as a $3 million rise in their energy costs without effects. This sends a clear message from the governor. Manufacturing companies are not welcome here,' said Weaver.
Republicans said the state's energy challenges will result in an increase of 18-22% on your Ameren bill this summer. They said they need to pass a new energy plan, but not this one.
'I think the timing is disastrous with what we're facing for pricing increases throughout the summer. So we need to go back to the drawing board and think about how we're actually going to get fixed,' said Spain.
'House Republicans have a full slate of proposals ready to right the ship as we enter the last few days of our legislative session. Let's remember bad policy brought us here. Only smart policy can get us out,' added Weaver.
The legislative session ends May 31.
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