State Representative Chris Miller of the 110th District. Photo submitted by State Representative Chris Miller's office.
For Immediate Release – June 16, 2021
State Rep. Chris Miller issues statement on the latest efforts to enact an energy bill
Springfield, IL – State Representative Chris Miller (R-Oakland) is issuing the following statement on the latest efforts to enact an energy bill.
“This energy bill represents everything that is wrong in Springfield. Politically connected insiders were negotiating this bill behind the scenes and until the Senate put the brakes on the bill, it would have been rammed through with little input from the public. Energy policy affects every single person in the state. We should not rush to judgement on energy matters, and we must look at the long-term implications of what these policies will have on the state.
We already know that the bill the Governor wanted would bail out nuclear power plants and cost energy consumers an estimated $700 million in rate increases. The bill also would shutter coal-fired plants which would impact the cost and availability of energy in Illinois. This bill is not based on science but rather on the worst kind of dirty politics. The people of Illinois deserve better.
One of the few advantages Illinois offers businesses is access to affordable energy. In fact, the cost of commercial energy prices in Illinois is 9 percent lower than the national average. Taking that advantage away would make Illinois less competitive and less attractive for new jobs and new opportunities.
Energy policy should be based on what is best for the residents of this state – not what is best for special interests. This particular deal may be dismantled now but the issue will come back up again. It is my hope that future energy legislation will be developed in a more transparent and open process. As I stated previously, energy policy affects every single person in the state. We owe it to the people of this state to put their interests ahead of the special interests.”
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