Kane County Reporter

Illinois Sen. Andrew Chesney continues to push for a piece of legislation that would rescind an old ban on nuclear power plants, which stalled in the House.

"With just over one week to go in the spring legislative session, it's time to call Senate Bill 76 for a vote," Chesney wrote on Facebook on May 11. He also shared a column he wrote on his Senate Website appealing to lawmakers to pass SB76, which was sponsored by Sen. Sue Rezin and filed on Jan. 20. The bill moved through the Senate and to the House of Representatives on March 31, when Rep. Lance Yednock sponsored it. It has been placed on the calendar for a third reading/Final Action Deadline of May 19.

In his column, Chesney pointed the finger at Democrats, saying that, "why Democratic legislators would not support cost-saving legislation that brings utility cost relief to their constituents while simultaneously providing for an expansion of clean energy is beyond me. This legislation would rescind an archaic law from 1987 that bans the construction of new nuclear power plants like the one in Byron."

The Byron plant currently employs more than 400 people and "provides carbon-free energy to over two million homes and businesses," Chesney wrote, noting that the plant is a primary employer in the region. Chesney argued that if SB 76 is approved, it would provide for the construction of new nuclear power plants, creating jobs, and lowering utility costs.

"The passage of SB76 would not create any kind of mandate. It would simply provide an opportunity for communities to invest in nuclear power construction projects," he wrote.

Chesney (R-89) is also a former member of the Freeport City Council and has been a past board member of the Regional Access  Mobilization Project, according to his website.