State Sen. Terri Bryant | senatorbryant.com
State Sen. Terri Bryant | senatorbryant.com
State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) has voiced her concerns regarding the passage of a new energy bill.
On Sept. 15, Gov. Pritzker signed into law a wide-ranging plan 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.
"This legislation sets a terrible precedent by allowing a private company to take someone’s land under the guise of eminent domain," Bryant wrote in a Sept. 13 Facebook post. "Eminent domain has always been used by the government for the sole purpose of providing property for public use. Under this legislation, we have given the greenlight to take private land from citizens to allow a private company to make money."
Under the bill, the downstate Prairie State Coal plant will be closed while approximately $700 million in subsidies will be paid to to Exelon over the next five years to keep three nuclear plants running.
"The rights and property of our landowners should be protected," Bryant said. "Yet, today we have pushed through a proposal that sends a clear message. When a profit is on the line, those rights don’t matter. It’s a direct assault on the people of this state."
The bill will also raise energy costs for consumers by roughly $2 to $15 more per month.
"And the attacks don’t end there. This legislation is the highest energy increase in Illinois history, adding to the burdens placed on small businesses and citizens who are already struggling. I would not support a proposal that places profits and bailouts above the wellbeing and future of Illinoisans."
Senate Bill 2408 passed the Senate by a vote of 37 to 17.
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