Hundreds rally at Illinois State Capitol to support Low Carbon Portfolio Standard

Hundreds of supporters gathered at the Illinois State Capitol to urge the General Assembly to pass the Low Carbon Portfolio Standard.

Supporters delivered more than 10,000 petition signatures to legislative leaders in support of the bill. The Byron Chamber of Commerce hosted a press conference that preceded the rally, calling for passage of the legislation by the full Illinois General Assembly.

"The Low Carbon Portfolio Standard is an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will help preserve our nuclear energy facilities and is critical for our economy," Sen. Donne Trotter (D-IL), a sponsor of the bill, said. "This legislation will help prevent the loss of up to 8,000 jobs, support zero and low carbon energy sources to maintain our national leadership in low carbon energy, and will help ensure we have the energy we need as a state."

The LCPS allows low-carbon energy sources -- including wind, solar, hydro, clean coal and nuclear -- to compete as equals.

"The simple fact is, this is not a utility issue, this is a state issue," George S. Tolley, president of RCF Economic & Financial Consulting and Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, said. "The nuclear plant closings would lead to significant losses in economic activity and jobs. The way our legislators respond will have long-term ramifications for the future of Illinois."