House Republicans warn of summer energy cost crisis, offer solutions to expand energy production capacity. House Republican members of the Illinois House Energy & Environment and Public Utilities Committees held a Capitol news conference last Tuesday to warn of a coming summer energy cost crisis and offer solutions to expand energy production capacity.
The Republicans held the press conference after last week sending the House’s Energy & Environment Committee Chair and Vice Chair a letter explaining the urgent need for hearings into the recent results of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) capacity auction which returned a shocking $666.50 per Megawatt-day price across all zones in the summer. That same price just one year ago was $30.
State Representative Mike Coffey issued a strong statement:
“We predicted this would be the result from burdensome mandates of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), along with various supplemental measures,” said Coffey. “We need to take immediate action to ensure that our energy grid remains reliable, affordable, and secure for consumers, manufacturers, and energy providers.”
HB 4050 – Restores provisions in the Act regarding greenhouse gases to their form before Public Act 102-662. Repeals a provision defining “clean energy.”
“Without grid stability, there is no question that our state will suffer greatly from progressive policies that do not take into consideration the affects they have on everyday Illinoisans,” Coffey continued. “Legislators must take action to ensure energy demands are met by utilizing all the resources available. It’s obvious that current policies are not working and Illinois businesses and residents will continue to see prices rise if we do not act now.”