PEORIA — An energy efficiency plan proposed by the dominant downstate power provider fails to meet key goals of state legislation crafted to conserve resources and create jobs, according to critics of the proposal.
But Ameren Illinois claims it is on track to achieve necessary long-term energy savings while improving efficiency for low- and moderate-income customers in central and southern Illinois.
The proposal pending before the Illinois Commerce Commission aims to achieve 9 percent energy savings by 2021 — a reduction of 2,471,563 megawatt hours — while the recently enacted Future Energy Jobs Act seeks a 16 percent cut by 2030.
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition claims Ameren’s plan will fall short of goals in the statute that the utility previously agreed to meet as the legislation was being drafted.
“Ameren broke their word to the lawmakers with whom they negotiated — and to Governor Bruce Rauner,” said Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, who helped pass the legislation. “Ameren should not have the ability to sell out consumer savings and cost Illinois jobs just to make more money. Period.”
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