SR1195 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1195 LRB101 21540 LAW 72368 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Reliable, clean, and affordable electricity is vital to Illinois for economic growth, jobs, and the overall interests of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' nuclear power plants provide over half of the State's total electricity generation and are licensed to generate affordable electricity for Illinois families and businesses into the future; and

WHEREAS, Illinois had the twentieth lowest average price of electricity across all sectors in 2019, and low-cost energy resources give the State a significant advantage for attracting and retaining businesses of all kinds and provide reliable electricity to Illinois families; and

WHEREAS, Nuclear plants help Illinois avoid 45 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to almost 10 million cars or 70% of current State carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS, Within Illinois, six nuclear plants comprise approximately 54% of the State's generation and 29% of its generating capacity; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' nuclear plants account for $149 million in estimated annual State tax revenues; and

WHEREAS, Industry analysts and consultants, academic analyses and studies, and market publications have reached various conclusions regarding the economic viability of the Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and LaSalle nuclear power plants; the shutdown of one or more of these valuable assets prior to its license expiration will most likely cause economic, social, and environmental harm to Illinois families and businesses; and

WHEREAS, Closing even a few nuclear power plants could make achieving State and national carbon reduction goals difficult or impossible; and

WHEREAS, It is of the highest importance that the State of Illinois preserve its existing clean energy resources as a means of achieving its clean energy goals, keeping energy costs stable and reliable, and preserving jobs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Commerce Commission to prepare a report examining the impact on residential, commercial, and industrial electric rates from the closure of Illinois' Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and LaSalle nuclear power plants prior to the expiration of their respective licenses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Illinois Power Agency to prepare a report showing how the closure of the Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and LaSalle nuclear power plants prior to the expiration of their respective licenses will affect reliability and capacity for the Midwest region; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to prepare a report examining the carbon and air pollution impacts of the closure of the Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and LaSalle nuclear plants prior to the expiration of their respective licenses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we request the findings in those reports to include potential market-based solutions to address any negative impacts on residential, commercial, and industrial electric rates, the negative affect on reliability and capacity for the Midwest region, and the negative environmental impacts from the closure of Illinois' nuclear power plants prior to the expiration of their respective licenses, including an examination of a Fixed Resource Requirement that prioritizes carbon-free generators; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we request the findings in those reports to include multiple scenarios, wherein one, two, three, and four of these nuclear power plants close prior to the expiration of their respective licenses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we request the findings from those reports to be presented to the General Assembly and the Governor before September 1, 2020 for consideration and appropriate action; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Governor JB Pritzker, Director of the Illinois Power Agency Anthony Star, Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency John Kim, and Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission Carrie Zalewski.