FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Contacts: Tucker Barry, tucker@ilenviro.org, 337-280-1269
Hannah Lee Flath, hannahlee.flath@sierraclub.org, 860-634-0225
Governor Pritzker Issues Amendatory Veto on Legislation That Would Have Allowed Ameren to Monopolize Transmission Projects
Illinois -- Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued an amendatory veto on HB3445—legislation that would have given Ameren, the private utility company that serves much of Central and Southern Illinois, a “Right of First Refusal” to build regional transmission lines in Southern Illinois. Under this bill, Ameren would have been given first dibs on building new transmission projects at whatever price they wanted to charge, ultimately increasing costs for consumers and businesses.
In response, the Illinois Environmental Council and Sierra Club Illinois released the following statements:
“The so-called “Right of First Refusal” language was added as an amendment to HB3445 in the waning hours of the spring legislative session, and lawmakers were not given enough time to consider the ways in which this action would be costly and time-consuming,” said Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling. “We cannot further delay clean energy adoption, particularly in Central and Southern Illinois communities that have long been burdened with predatory practices from utilities like Ameren. Governor Pritzker’s amendatory veto of this bill will allow Illinois to bring large-scale clean energy projects online in a competitive market, which will keep costs low and protect consumers.”
“Illinois needs to build a lot of transmission lines in order to reach our clean energy goals in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), and we need to expedite these projects, not restrict them,” said Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin. “These projects will create good jobs, and Illinois should prioritize living wages for local workers, not corporate profits funded by ratepayers. We applaud Governor Pritzker for taking another key step toward building Illinois’ clean energy future while protecting ratepayers from excess utility costs.”
“Like many of Ameren’s customers, my utility bill is one of my most expensive monthly payments,” said Ameren customer Toni Oplt. “I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker for issuing an amendatory veto on a bill that would have added further strain on my pocketbook and the pocketbooks of hardworking Illinoisans across the state. It’s time for all of us—utilities included—to roll up our sleeves, bolster the green economy through a competitive market, and support our renewable energy future.”