Earlier this year, Dan Mathis
talked with state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, about alternative
energy sources, and the 44th District senator agreed to sponsor
legislation based on Mathis' suggestions. On Thursday, that
legislation was officially passed by the General Assembly.
Senate Bill 680 requires an electric utility to establish a "net
metering" pilot program for its retail customers that own and
operate a solar-powered or wind-powered electrical generating
facility.
"Good laws don't necessarily come from political scholars in
their ivory towers. Some of the best laws are the result of
common-sense suggestions from citizens who are addressing the
problems they encounter on a daily basis," Brady said. "I
congratulate Dan for his idea, which is one step closer to becoming
law."
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/Jun/01/images/ads/current/brickey%20photography%20041507.png)
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/reference/ads/current/logan%20county%20hardware%20bca%20020207.png) |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/reference/ads/current/ccaonline%20broadband%20ad%20021207.png) The legislation now moves to the governor's desk and will become
law with his signature.
The 44th District senator says alternative energy sources reduce
consumer reliance on utility companies and reduce their costs.
"Skyrocketing electric rates and extremely cold weather earlier
this year have forced many utility customers to consider the need to
cut energy use or use an alternative energy source," Brady said.
"Many other states are finding that the net metering bill is
something that works well because it allows people to make the
investment to produce their own energy, solar or otherwise."
[Text from news release sent on
behalf of
Sen. Bill Brady and received
from Illinois
Senate Republican staff] |