Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Association Of Illinois Electric Cooperatives
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday met with the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperative (AIEC), which represents 24 distribution co-ops and five generation/transmission co-ops that serve most of rural Illinois, to discuss protecting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy programs and clean energy tax credits. During their meeting, the group stressed the importance of two programs created by the Inflation Reduction Act that give co-ops new money to pay for electric infrastructure upgrades, USDA’s Empowering Rural America (ERA) program and the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program. The group also discussed the importance of clean energy tax credits for Illinois’ electric co-ops. If the Trump Administration eliminates these programs, it means higher electric bills for rural families, higher costs for rural businesses, or even rolling blackouts if this new infrastructure cannot be funded and built.
“Every rural community deserves to have reliable energy, and electric co-ops are critical to achieving this goal,” Durbin said. “I will continue to fight actions by the Trump Administration that increase the cost of living in rural Illinois.”
“Clean energy has the potential to encourage job growth, protect our environment and secure Illinois’s leadership in the energy sector for years to come,” said Duckworth. “I was glad to meet with Illinois Electric Cooperatives alongside Senator Durbin to discuss the impact of Trump Administration’s attacks on President Biden’s IRA tax credits and the need for clean energy initiatives. I look forward to working together as we continue expanding broadband access in rural communities, investing in renewable energy sources and domestic manufacturing to keep costs down forhardworking Illinoisans and their families.”
Photos of the meeting are available here.
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