Governor introduces the “Consumers and Climate First Act”

Posted on April 29, 2021
You should hear a lot about this one this year – the “Consumers and Climate First Act,” introduced Thursday by Gov. Pritzker.(Twitter/Governor JB Pritzker)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – What’s billed as a climate-friendly, consumer-friendly proposal is Gov. JB Pritzker’s “Consumers and Climate First Act,” promising a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and greater accountability for Big Energy.

“I do not believe that there is a monopoly on good ideas,” said House sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago). “This will require a coalition of the willing to work to create a better future that protects the earth, protects consumers, and focuses on equity and serves as an entree to the jobs of the future.”

Speaking of jobs, “People in coal will have to work in other sectors, but there is no reason we can’t make sure that everyone is economically taken care of,” said Abe Scarr, director of the Illinois Public Interest Research Group.

One group which is not on this parade float is the Citizens Utility Board, which would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act and also would be cut off from Big Energy funding foundations, as a connection has been recently reported.

SB 2896

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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