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Ameren says clean energy goals would go too fast and cost too much

By Billy Thompson Apr 15, 2021 | 4:26 AM

There’s a plan in the Illinois legislature to switch entirely to solar, wind, and nuclear power generation by 2050. The Clean Energy Jobs Act would require shutting down coal fired power plants by 2030. Ameren Illinois Senior Vice President for Regulatory Policy and Energy Supply Jim Blessing says 2030’s too soon.

He says such a quick switch to solar and wind will cost too much, particularly south of Interstate 80.

There’s an advocacy group supporting CEJA that claims Ameren is against solar and wind power. WCMY News has asked the group for comment but hasn’t received an answer. Blessing says the company is in favor of alternative energy sources, but if it costs a lot to get, those costs will be passed on to customers.