* Jordan Abudayyeh…
The Governor strongly supports the compromise presented in House Amendment 1 to SB1751 that will be filed this weekend. The amendment builds on the progress made in Senate Bill 18 by requiring a 100 percent reduction in carbon emissions for municipal coal by 2045 with the additional goal of reducing emissions by 45 percent by 2035. We know our planet cannot afford to wait more than two decades before significant progress at reducing carbon emissions is made, and this bill is a reasonable path forward. The administration looks forward to continuing discussions with our partners in the House.
The Senate sent a bill to the House this week which did not reduce carbon emissions on the two municipally owned plants until the 2045 closure date.
* ICJC…
Today, Illinois took another step toward an equitable clean energy future for all with the introduction of SB1751, House Amendment 1 which will take action on climate, protect communities from pollution, and launch a generation of new, good-paying jobs that lift up those who need it most.
In response, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) released the following statement:
“The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition strongly supports SB1751, House Amendment 1. This language — which mirrors energy legislation passed by the Illinois Senate (SB18) on September 1 and includes an important new element — is the reasonable path forward to a true climate and equitable jobs bill.
“In addition to a specific timeline for the closure of coal plants, this bill as amended also includes interim carbon pollution reductions for the Prairie State coal plant and CWLP’s Dallman coal plant in Springfield. These critical reductions are in line with climate science and will protect the public health of Illinoisans during the decades it will take to decarbonize. It is our understanding that this is the bill Governor Pritzker will sign.
“We are proud to advocate alongside the Governor and legislative Green Caucus in support of this legislation that meaningfully addresses our climate crisis, takes bold action on creating equitable jobs across the state particularly in Black and Brown communities, and enacts tough utility accountability measures.
“An urgent and nation-leading opportunity is within our reach. We encourage lawmakers to take this comprehensive climate and equitable jobs bill across the finish line next week.”
The amendment is not yet posted online.
Awaiting response from Speaker Welch and Senate President Harmon.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Here’s the language. It doesn’t mandate closure, but permanent 100 percent carbon reduction would be the same thing…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Speaker Welch…
I am confident Leaders Evans, Gabel, and Hoffman will continue to facilitate collaboration between all stakeholders and caucus members now that we have two proposals in bill language, and the House stands ready to act when consensus is reached.
Translation: When concensus is reached, a bill will move.
