Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP file
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to unveil his own sweeping climate and energy legislation Thursday, ending formula rates and online payment fees as the state moves towards 100% clean energy by 2050 and away from “the old ‘pay-to-play politics’ of the past.”
The Consumers and Climate First Act addresses ethics and consumer protections as well as renewable energy and clean power. It also seeks to address how the state plans to help those who lose their jobs as Illinois shifts away from non-renewable energy sources.
Pritzker’s bill would end formula rates, a practice of utility companies being able to “spend ratepayer money with little oversight, meaning ComEd and Ameren, will no longer be able to dramatically increase their profits by loading up the rate base with little cost control,” according to a summary of the bill.