Walsh Laments Veto of Senate Bill 76, Sees a Future for Nuclear Power

JOLIET, Ill. – House Public Utilities Committee Chairman Larry Walsh issued the following statement after Gov. Pritzker’s Friday morning veto of Senate Bill 76:

“I am disappointed in Governor Pritzker’s decision to veto Senate Bill 76. As we move towards cleaner energy production, nuclear technology must be an option. Senate Bill 76 was an opportunity to allow new, safe, and efficient reactors to be a tool in our energy toolbox. For over two years, hearings on this issue have been held in a bipartisan manner and Senate Bill 76 was the culmination of those efforts. Unfortunately, there are business interests and special interest groups within the renewable energy community that have hijacked this issue and the process for their own personal gain. Both financial and political. 

“Despite this setback, we will continue to work to expand clean energy generation in Illinois so that our grid is able to meet the shortfalls that RTOs have forecasted in the coming years. Unfortunately with this veto, that work has become harder.”