skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Watchdog Group: Nuclear Bailout Legislation Imminent in Illinois

play audio
Play

Wednesday, November 2, 2016   

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Much of the media focus in Illinois has been on baseball and the upcoming presidential election, but advocates for renewable energy in the state say residents need to know that later this month a nuclear bailout bill could be back in front of lawmakers.

Last month, state Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, said he would introduce another version of Senate Bill 1585, the "2016 Exelon Nuclear Bailout legislation," as early as the fall veto session, which begins Nov. 15. Dave Kraft, director of the watchdog group Nuclear Energy Information Service, questioned why ratepayers need to carry the burden of the country's largest nuclear utility.

"No other business entity in Illinois gets that privilege," Kraft said. "They didn't do it for Mitsubishi, they didn't do it for Nabisco, they're not likely to do it for Cat or Chrysler in Belvidere, or Boeing, or United Airlines when they lose money."

SB 1585 amends the Public Utilities Act, preventing premature closings of nuclear power plants. Trotter's office said there would be dire consequence to the economy, jobs, and the environment if they were shut down.

Kraft said the legislation also threatens community solar energy projects which he said Exelon and its Midwest utility, ComEd, want to eliminate.

"It gets rid of net metering, which is something we currently have, where if people want to put solar panels on their roof, they not only get the benefit of the electricity for doing that themselves, but if they generate a surplus they can actually sell it back to the grid," Kraft said. "Well, ComEd wants to get rid of that. It's in their interest to do that so they can control solar."

Illinois' utility companies have said the bailout only would raise ratepayers' bills by about 25 cents per month while ensuring stability and improving Illinois' energy markets. Critics say ratepayers would be on the hook for an average of $3 per month during the first 10 years, and more after that.

The text of SB 1585 is online at ilga.gov.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021