In a behind-scenes, last-minute maneuver on May 26, the Legislature found a way to hobble Illinois’ important conversion to renewable energy. Gov. J.B. Pritzker should veto the idea, as has said he will, and find a way to ensure benighted lawmakers don’t override his veto.
In a sneaky maneuver, the Legislature slipped through a Senate amendment that would give the downstate energy utility Ameren monopolistic control over anyone building regional power lines across its territory. Such an enormous corporate giveaway could make it harder and more expensive to decarbonize the state’s and nation’s power grid just when it is crucial to connect new renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power installations, to customers in population centers.
