Stuart Backs Legislation to Combat Rising Energy Costs and Provide Long-term Relief

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Ameren users would be in line to see immediate and long-term savings under a plan backed by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, that aims to reduce electric bills, create jobs and strengthen Illinois’ electric grid.

“Homes and businesses across my district are being forced to spend far too much on rising energy costs,” said Stuart. “This legislation will provide immediate short-term relief while making strategic investments in clean energy to secure lower consumer energy costs long term.”

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.

In an effort to combat these rising costs, highlights of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Senate Bill 25) include:

– Virtual Power Plants: By capturing clean energy already being generated as surplus power by home solar panels and other green sources, better coordination through virtual power plants can redistribute energy across the system and lower costs for all consumers. This change is expected to reduce bills by up to $4.34 per month for Ameren users.
– Increased Battery Storage: Adding battery storage will make the grid more reliable and affordable, further acting as insurance for the system. This improvement is expected to lower bills for Ameren customers by up to $8 each month.
– Energy Efficiency: By expanding and investing in energy efficiency programs, Ameren consumers are expected to save up to $1.41 per month.

The measure will additionally create up to 115,000 jobs, counteracting job insecurity and layoffs caused by the federal budget bill—including 50,000 manufacturing jobs projected to be lost 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.

For more information, please contact repkatiestuart@gmail.com