KANKAKEE – Residents of Kankakee and Will County may soon benefit from a measure co-sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce that aims to promote environmental conservation and increase renewable energy procurement.
The Illinois Power Agency Act would be amended to include a framework that promotes hydropower as a clean and reliable energy source.
Joyce, who represents the district of Essex, stressed the importance of avoiding the negative impacts of constructing new dams while promoting renewable energy. Under the legislation, the Illinois Power Agency would be required to procure a percentage of its renewable energy credits from existing hydropower dams.
“Hydropower is a clean and reliable energy source that has the potential to help Illinois meet its renewable energy goals,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “However, we need to make sure that we are not encouraging the construction of new dams, because this can lead to negative impacts on our environment and natural resources.”
The initiative aims to support hydropower dams across the state, with a focus on the Kankakee Hydropower Dam and Wilmington Dam in Joyce’s district. If passed, the measure would increase the use of renewable energy while promoting environmental conservation.
Joyce believes that renewable energy is critical to protecting the planet and expressed hope that the legislation will help increase the use of clean energy sources and promote efforts to protect the environment.
Senate Bill 1474 has passed the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee and awaits consideration by the full Senate.
