Hirschauer Backs Climate Smart Measure Aimed to Cut Utility Costs

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Working to provide more relief to Illinoisans facing rising energy costs, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, passed comprehensive legislation Oct. 30 that seeks to bring down home energy bills both immediately and in the long term for residents, while being advantageous to our environment.
“Families across the state are struggling to make ends meet,” said Hirschauer. “We aren’t going to sit idly by while utility companies jack up prices, forcing many Illinoisans to choose between
turning their lights on and feeding their families— we’re going to offer solutions.”

Many Illinois residents have seen home energy costs skyrocket. Increased power demands from new high-tech businesses and Washington’s massive tax bill threaten to raise costs even
further—resulting in $9.5 billion in increased state energy costs. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Senate Bill 25) puts Illinois on better footing to counteract rising energy prices by tapping into:

● Capturing clean energy: By capturing and redistributing energy already being produced, including from home solar panels, Ameren and ComEd customers can see immediate relief on monthly costs.
● Increasing battery storage: By building out our grid to increase the state’s battery storage, power systems will become more reliable and affordable to power millions of Illinois homes.
● Investing in energy efficiency programs: Senate Bill 25 directly expands energy efficiency programs for residents, lowering electricity prices by reducing overall demand, and improves equity in programs by allocating a minimum amount of funds to support
low-income customers.

The measure will additionally create up to 115,000 jobs, counteracting job insecurity and layoffs caused by the federal budget bill— including over 50,000 lost manufacturing jobs in Illinois. As utility demands increase during the fall and winter months, Senate Bill 25 will play a significant role in meeting the state’s energy needs, strengthening reliability and helping manage untenable costs for customers for both short- and long-term relief.

“By investing in clean energy and our grid, we not only reduce energy demand, but ultimately strengthen our power systems to be more reliable and affordable in the long-term—giving our families and seniors on already strapped incomes relief they can count on in the upcoming winter months,” said Hirschauer.