Illinois Environmental Groups Applaud Vetoes by Pritzker

The decisions underscore the governor’s commitment to “choose climate action, every time.”

Environmental groups in Illinois are commending Gov. JB Pritzker for vetoing bills this month that would have expanded nuclear power, given a utility first dibs on new transmission line projects and advanced a controversial highway expansion project. This comes after little luck passing environmental bills in this year’s legislative session, which wrapped up in May. 

“The three vetoes of the bills we most oppose were the most he could do to be a leader on climate,” said Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “These vetoes are solidifying that he is somebody who’s going to choose climate action, every time.”

Walling, of the Illinois Environmental Council, said the bill needs a review of current rules and regulations, including local siting and permitting rules to protect people and the environment surrounding the facilities. “If we’re going to lift this moratorium, we have to really do the difficult work of looking at appropriate regulations that give power to communities, especially [environmental justice] communities where this is likely to be located.”

Read the full article here.

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