Energy bill passes House

Rep. Demmer statement on House passage of energy bill

SPRINGFIELD, IL– Deputy House Minority Leader Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) issued the following statement after the Illinois House of Representatives voted Thursday to approve energy legislation, Senate Bill 2408:

“There was broad agreement from day one on the importance of Illinois’ nuclear industry to our present and future as an energy-producing state. The facts are clear. More than 2 million homes are served with carbon free electricity produced by hundreds of hard working employees at the Byron Generating Station. The Byron plant provides our friends, families, and neighbors with more than 700 jobs and thousands of additional jobs in the community. The Byron plant pays $38 million annually in property taxes to fund schools, public safety, and local government.

“This bill as a whole is far from perfect. There are several aspects I would have voted No on had they been separated into a standalone bill. Given what was at stake for Byron families and our region, however, I chose to support this bill for our regional economy and for Illinois’ energy future. Without this bill, nuclear plants would close and consumers would face higher electricity rates in order to buy carbon-based power from out of state. Instead, we’re keeping Illinois nuclear plants open and keeping good jobs in our own state. I would like to give credit to Byron workers and local leaders for their unrelenting effort toward our shared goal of protecting a reliable energy grid and a vibrant local economy.”

Representative Demmer serves Illinois’ 90th District which includes portions of Ogle, Lee, DeKalb and LaSalle Counties.