Reporting by Dave Dahl for WTAX:
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – With just over two weeks remaining in the spring session at the Capitol, Illinois Environmental Council executive director Jen Walling (pictured, at mic) says there’s still time to pass what she calls “common sense” legislation about our resources, The Power Act, said Walling, “will end backroom deals and make sure communities have a seat at the table. It will make sure big tech corporations pay their fair share, not pass costs on to Illinois families. And it will hold these corporations accountable to responsible and sustainable energy and water use.”
Another speaker was Rev. Darnell Tingle (standing behind Walling, blue suit), executive director of United Congregations of Metro East. “Let me be clear,” said Tingle. “The Metro East is not against development. We are not against technology. We are not against jobs. But we are against exploitation dressed up as development.”
The sponsors of the proposal, House Minority leader Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), were not at the news conference, but Walling assured those in attendance they are invested in getting the bill passed.
According to an Illinois Environmental Council news release, “The POWER Act would establish commonsense statewide standards requiring data center developers to pay for their own energy instead of passing costs on to working families, end backroom deals and increase transparency around projects, strengthen protections for drinking water, and prevent pollution in vulnerable communities.”