By State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham) -
When we return to Springfield later this month, one of the issues on the table will be energy.
Since the Legislature has adjourned, there has been a big push for so-called green energy solutions. The solutions they are highlighting would dramatically increase the cost of energy in Illinois and threaten the availability of reliable sources of energy during those peak times when more power is needed.
Negotiations are under way to dramatically change the way energy is produced in Illinois. The Governor, along with environmental groups, want Illinois to go to 100 percent renewables by 2050.
Currently, only about 6 percent of the total energy produced in Illinois comes from renewable sources. The goal of 100 percent renewables by 2050 is simply not realistic and even if it were – the higher cost of electricity would hurt what manufacturing we have left in Illinois and lead to tremendous job loss in our state.
Studies have shown that rate payers in states such as California and New Jersey with strict renewable mandates pay about 25 percent more in their monthly electric utility bills than states without these onerous mandates.
Even if Illinois consumers were content with paying higher electric rates, there is still the issue of what to do during peak usage. Wind and solar simply are not reliable sources of energy and cannot guarantee delivery of power during peak use times such as extremely hot summer days, of which we have many here in Illinois.
Finally, why are we deliberately choosing to subsidize a form of energy production that we know will put Illinois workers out of work? Jobs in the energy sector are some of the better paid jobs available. A state that lost more than 50,000 people last year cannot afford to continue to embrace policies that lead more jobs lost and more people leaving.
Because of the taxes and the culture of corruption in Illinois, there is little Illinois can do to lure new businesses to the state. One of the few advantages Illinois does have is an abundance of cheap energy. In fact, cheaper energy costs may be the only financial advantages manufacturers have in Illinois.
But all of this could change if the Governor and his green allies get their way. The Governor’s policies will hurt middle class families.
Illinois politicians need to stop making policies based on feelings and press releases. Instead, we need to be looking at an all of the above energy strategy that takes advantage of our abundant natural resources, creates and sustains high wage, working class jobs in Southern Illinois, does not prop up other economies at the expense of our own, and achieves our shared goals of being better stewards of our environment.
And make no mistake about it – these proposed “green” policies will help prop up foreign economies at our expense. The accelerated timetable that the Governor has established will require a massive ramp-up in mining for essential minerals that are required to produce and store alternative energy. Lithium to produce Lithium-Ion batteries will have to be mined and manufactured at unheard of rates. And who controls the lion share of lithium rights and has, by far, the most lithium manufacturing capability in the world?
You guessed it. China.
China stands to gain tremendously because they are the only ones with anywhere near the production capabilities to meet the timeframes that are being considered.
Under the proposed policies, our workers will lose jobs. Illinois businesses and families will have to pay more for energy and face potential rolling brown outs because wind and solar simply cannot meet energy demands particularly during peak times.
What is needed is a comprehensive approach to energy. We need to allow the marketplace to work and not force unattainable goals on the energy sector. The fears of many of the environmentalists are simply unfounded because the truth is, we are making energy production cleaner. According to the Illinois EPA, CO2 emissions from all sectors have declined 16.7 percent from 2005 – 2016. Let’s continue this trend by investing in clean coal technology that will keep energy production in Illinois affordable, available and there when we need it most. Most importantly, let’s keep our workers in the energy sector gainfully employed.
