SR1196 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1196 LRB101 21539 MST 72361 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Reliable, clean, and affordable electricity is vital to Illinois' 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, The premature closure of nuclear power plants could increase electric prices for families and businesses by up to $483,000,000 annually; 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 Illinois 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 some Illinois nuclear power plants; the premature shutdown of one or more of these valuable assets 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 PJM Interconnection, LLC to expeditiously adopt market rules and policies that will ensure the continued operation of the existing fleet of nuclear power plants or the abatement of the equivalent amount of emissions avoided by use of nuclear energy generation in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge PJM Interconnection, LLC to prepare a report showing how the premature closure of the Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, and Lasalle nuclear power plants in Illinois will affect reliability and capacity for the Midwest region and the impact on wholesale electric rates; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the findings of this report to include potential market-based options, including a Fixed Resource Requirement that prioritizes carbon-free generators, that could ensure that the premature closure of these nuclear power plants does not occur and that the dire consequences to the economy, jobs, and the environment would be averted; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge PJM Interconnection, LLC to postpone the next capacity auction until Illinois has an opportunity to develop and implement a solution that will enable the State to meet its clean energy goals; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge 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 J.B. Prizker and Manu Asthana, President and Chief Executive Officer of PJM Interconnection, LLC.