The House and Senate returned to Springfield this week. Both Chambers were in Session Tuesday through Thursday. The committee deadline for 2015 was this past Friday, but both chambers canceled their scheduled Friday Session.
[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level1)]
The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee hosted a Subject Matter Hearing Wednesday on Illinois energy policy and regulation where the ICC and IPA provided testimony. The House Energy Committee also hosted a subject matter hearing on Wednesday, with the IEPA, MISO and PJM testifying on energy policy. Both committees have suggested that they will continue with subject matter hearings in preparation for considering legislation that has been proposed by the industry, and the environmental groups.
The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee met Thursday. The Committee unanimously approved SB 1585 (Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago) which would create a low carbon portfolio standard for Illinois. The low carbon portfolio standard is an initiative of Exelon. Several companies and business groups expressed opposition to SB 1585, and the Sponsor agreed to work with the opponents and bring any proposed amendments back to Committee.
The Senate Committee also approved SB 1879 (Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Westchester) which would implement ComEd’s proposed Smart Plan for Illinois’ Energy Future. The Attorney General’s office testified that they had some concerns with the bill and the Sponsor agreed to negotiate and bring any amendments back to the Committee.
The Senate Energy and Conservation Committee met Thursday. The Committee approved SB 1485 (Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park), which is the omnibus environmental energy policy bill known as the Clean Jobs Bill. The legislation is an agreement between all of the State’s major environmental advocates. Several businesses and organized labor expressed concern about the bill and the Sponsor agreed to amend the bill.
With committee deadlines met, the General Assembly is scheduled to take a two-week Spring Break. The House and Senate are not scheduled to meet again until April 14th. The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee may schedule subject matter hearings during the break.
- Monk
- Evans
[/s2If]