Farm Bureau Voices Concerns Regarding Energy Legislation
The legislature met in September to approve Senate Bill 2408, the controversial and sweeping clean energy legislation. Senate Bill 2408 calls for the elimination of Illinois carbon emissions by 2050, while allowing two coal-fired plants to stay open until 2045 with the caveat that they cut emissions by nearly half by 2038.
On the nuclear front, the bill included subsidies to keep some of the state’s oldest nuclear power plants operational. The bill also provided incentives for renewable energy projects, while phasing out coal and natural gas power generation facilities. Additionally, the bill created new ethics rules for the utility industry, and a host of other related energy items.
Farm Bureau opposed Senate Bill 2408 largely due the language granting the Grain Belt Express transmission line eminent domain powers. Core to Farm Bureau is the protection of private property rights, and the portion of Senate Bill 2408 address the Grain Belt Express transmission line is detrimental to private property rights.
Farm Bureau will continue voicing the importance of private property rights.