MARISSA, Ill. – State lawmakers are still trying to work out a deal to pass a clean energy plan this year.
The Pritzker administration hopes to close all coal plants in the state by 2035. While environmental groups based in Chicago and advocates see this as a win, it could drastically change power for many communities.
A large group of lawmakers say they won’t vote for an energy bill unless it closes coal plants by 2035. However, two of those plants were commissioned less than 15 years ago.
The Capitol Bureau spoke with employees at the Prairie State Energy Campus in Marissa to see their perspectives on the monumental proposal. Prairie State provides power to 2.5 million customers across eight states. 650 full-time employees and roughly 1,000 tradesmen and women call this a career. They don’t want it taken away too soon.