Nuclear power is critical if Illinois is to stave off the growing energy crisis in Illinois. Nuclear energy keeps reliable electricity in our homes, and is not reliant on weather.
Right now, nuclear is the backbone of our grid. It provides what’s called baseload power—energy that is stable and runs 24/7. It keeps our factories and hospitals operating. It’s also carbon-free, which is important to many in the policy process.
So why aren’t we building more nuclear? In 1987, the Illinois General Assembly passed a moratorium banning the construction of new reactors. While the governor has since partially lifted that ban to allow small modular reactors (SMRs) – after vetoing the original bill – it’s nowhere near enough.
With the governor’s radical push for net zero by 2050, the idea that Illinois can shut down gas and coal plants by 2045 and still keep a stable grid is completely unworkable. Nuclear simply has to be part of the solution!
There are signs that the governor is finally moving away from his previous dismissal of large-scale reactors, which he had described as too costly and a threat to ratepayers. As his net zero promise becomes increasingly unrealistic, he has suddenly warmed up to nuclear—which I welcome. It’s long past time to get Illinois back into action on this.
There’s still a problem, though, as we saw when the energy omnibus failed during spring session. Yes, we should lift the moratorium, and yes, it’s good the governor is finally acknowledging reality. We should pass this bill as soon as possible, but it needs to be independent of the expensive additional initiatives pushed by special interest groups. Those special initiatives would hurt rate payers who are already getting hammered by energy costs—a factor in the failure to pass the original omnibus energy bill proposed in late May.
Here’s what Democrats might try to include in such a package:
- Continuation of stripping local governments of rights: In 2023 Democrats broke their promise of allowing local officials to be able to site renewable energy projects for wind and solar. Now they are trying to go even further by removing “siting authority” over large scale battery storage units that could be placed up to 150 feet from someone’s home. This would allow the transfer of vital rich farmland for energy storage, changes property tax assessments, and introduce risks on drainage tile and crop damage.
- Higher energy costs for families: Lifts consumer price caps, adds new energy efficiency fees, and lets utilities hike rates to fund data center collection study programs and unreliable energy storage.
- Costly new subsidies and transfers: Shifts $84 million annually to EV charging programs, funds geothermal/thermal heating projects, and continues mandates for electrification plans.
- Union carve-outs and mandates: Locks in staff ratio requirements, ties staffing to capital rules, and expands CEJA-funded job training at ratepayers’ expense.
- Trojan horse “green” programs: Adds virtual power plant rebates, new efficiency mandates, and billions in subsidies for unreliable storage, driving up bills for struggling citizens.
The bottom line: Yes, lift the nuclear moratorium. But don’t bury it inside an omnibus packed with costly, heavy-handed new mandates. Such mandates are part of why consumers are struggling with massive rate increases already!