SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) and Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) are issuing the following statement on Midcontinent Independent System Operators’ alert on possible rolling blackouts and rising energy prices that could cost Illinois families as much as $600 more annually.
“Illinois families are struggling to afford record high gas prices and as the heat wave intensifies, the prospect of rolling blackouts looks to be an almost certain reality.
Access to reliable and affordable energy is essential not just to our economy but also to the health and safety of our loved ones – especially senior citizens who are the most vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
Rolling blackouts should not be the norm in the United States. There should be abundant energy available for our population and there would be if we had leaders at the state and national level who put the people over the special interest groups.
The Democrats in Springfield are deliberately creating these conditions by forcing the closure of coal and natural gas plants as well as peaker plants that supply extra power during peak energy use. Our focus should be on stabilizing our economy and ensuring our families have access to affordable and reliable sources of energy.”