The House and Senate returned to Springfield this week. Both Chambers were in Session Tuesday through Thursday. The Senate canceled their Friday Session and the Committee Deadline for the Senate was this Friday. The House Committee Deadline is on March 31st.
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The House Public Utilities Committee scheduled for this week was canceled. The House Public Utilities Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday next week. The committee is scheduled to hear HB 2825 (Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Red Bud) which would extend some state energy efficiency programs that are scheduled to sunset.
The House Energy Committee met on Wednesday of this week. The Committee formed a Subcommittee on Resources and Management. Many of the bills that the Energy Association had concerns with have been assigned to the subcommittee.
The Senate Energy Committee met on Thursday of this week. The committee move several bills out of committee on the condition that the bills will be negotiated and any amendments would come back to committee. SB 777 (Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon) was approved by the Committee. The bill would change the regulation of electric transmission siting. The bill is an initiative of the Farm Bureau, the utilities are in discussions to see if any changes to transmission siting can be agreed to.
The Senate Telecommunications Committee met this Thursday. The bill approved SB 1381 (Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago) which would make regulatory changes allowing AT&T to update their telecommunications infrastructure in Illinois. The Energy Association testified to some concerns electric utilities have with the potential disconnection of telephone wires used to monitor, control and secure essential electric infrastructure. AT&T has committed to trying to work out an agreement with the electric utilities.
The Senate will be taking next week off. The House returns to Springfield next Tuesday and is scheduled to be in Session through Thursday.
The Energy Association has scheduled several receptions for the new General Assembly. A reception honoring the Senate Committees will be on March 28th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Maldaner’s. The reception honoring House Committees has been rescheduled for March 22nd 5:30 to 7:30 at Arlington’s . Please RSVP to edrake@elaineg75.sg-host.com, or 217-523-7348.
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