Quincy Reporter

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) recently voiced her opinion on the state's new clean energy measure.

On Sept. 15, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a wide-ranging measure to end the state's reliance on fossil fuels and shift to completely renewable resources – including solar and wind power – in an effort to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

Tracy and other Republican lawmakers had voiced concerns on whether renewable energy sources could supply enough power to replace fossil fuels.

"I myself did not support the bill. I hadn’t supported it for many reasons," Tracy said in an interview. "The one thing Illinois has had going for it for years is reliable and affordable energy. When we recruit businesses to come to Illinois, that was one of the first things we could mention is that we have affordable, reliable energy for them. Illinois has been an exporter of energy rather than an importer."

Under the measure, the downstate Prairie State Coal plant will be closed while approximately $700 million in subsidies will be paid to Exelon over the next five years to keep three nuclear plants running.

"Certainly, this bill addressed keeping our nuclear fleet online  - because this is very much a part of our energy portfolio," Tracy added. "That could have been a totally separate bill. Instead, it was joined with a lot of other provisions that were driven by environmentalists. Certainly, I want clean air, we all do. But first we have to recognize that we are energy users – Illinoisans are not an island – our neighboring states produce and use carbon products."

The bill will also raise energy costs for consumers by roughly $2 to $15 more per month.

"It seems like we’re trying to set a standard that maybe will put us in a position where we have to import energy from the same carbon that we’re trying to get away from," Tracy said. "We are going to cost every ratepayer in this state more money,"

There are groups that support the deal. Following the bill's passage, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) released the following statement.

"We are proud to stand with Governor Pritzker, legislative champions, and other stakeholders on this monumental occasion," ICJC wrote in its statement. "The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is a bold, nation-leading law that will put Illinois on a path to a 100% clean energy future, protect public health from pollution, provide a just transition for communities historically dependent on dirty fossil fuels, enact tough utility accountability measures, and create jobs and wealth in Illinois’ Black and Brown communities."