Gov. Pritzker protects utility customers with amendatory veto

Gov. Pritzker issued an amendatory veto of House Bill 3345 today, objecting to a provision which would have granted downstate utility Ameren Illinois a virtual monopoly over the $3.6 billion in planned transmission construction in its service territory. Illinois PIRG opposed the bill because of this provision and appreciates the Governor’s action. 

👏👏👏 Another good (amendatory) veto from @GovPritzker https://t.co/g7PoK37aq8

— Abe Scarr (@abescarr) August 16, 2023

New transmission lines across Illinois and surrounding states will be essential for providing widespread access to wind and solar resources. The new bill would have given Ameren “right of first refusal” over transmission projects, leading to higher rates than if the projects were contracted through a competitive bidding process. 

Once this language is removed, Gov. Pritzker assured the General Assembly that the bill would have his support, stating “I cannot support legislation that puts corporate profits over consumers.”