Rep. Bill Hauter: Pritzker puts special interests above families with veto of nuclear power bill

 

[August 14, 2023] 

State Representative Bill Hauter (R-Morton) is issuing the following statement on Governor JB Pritzker’s veto of bipartisan legislation aimed at ending the state’s ban on new nuclear power plants as a means of ensuring residents have access to reliable energy.

“The Governor refuses to act and think rationally when it comes to the future energy needs of working families. This veto is nothing more than a climate alarmist merit badge for the Governor's presidential hope chest that only makes Illinoisians pay more to cool their homes or keep the lights burning.

Senate Bill 76 garnered 84 votes in the House as both Democrats and Republicans understand the impact the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) will have on the availability of energy in Illinois. CEJA requires energy production to be carbon neutral by 2045. Without the ability to bring nuclear power plants online, we are looking at a major energy crisis in Illinois in the near future.

The intent of this legislation was to allow for the construction of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, or SMR in Illinois. It was not intended for traditional nuclear power plants. It is a common-sense bill that has strong support from both sides of the aisle. Until we can harness the power of JB’s comical presidential hopes, zero emission nuclear energy is a pretty good compromise. I hope thinking Illinoisians will see that when presented with a bipartisan clean energy solution, the governor rejected it.”

[Travis Akin]