Prairie State Wire

Brad Halbrook, a House Representative from Illinois, expressed concerns over progressive climate plans, suggesting they prioritize ideology over affordability. He said that these plans move the state away from coal and natural gas, consequently increasing costs for working families. Halbrook made these remarks during a podcast appearance.

"The majority party seems to be all in on the Green New Deal and the green new scam, and so I don't think costs mean anything to the majority party," said Halbrook, State Representative from Illinois. "I don't think they're worried about that whatsoever. I think they're just all in on the ideology that we have to get rid of coal and natural gas."

According to Capitol News Illinois, Illinois lawmakers have advanced a 2025 energy package as part of the state's broader Clean Energy and Jobs Act (CEJA) framework. This package includes measures such as time-of-use billing, grid planning, and efficiency mandates. Supporters argue that the plan will enhance reliability and lead to long-term savings. However, opponents caution that it could result in higher household energy bills and put additional strain on the grid.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that residential electricity prices in Illinois averaged 15.71 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2023 and increased slightly to 15.87 cents per kWh in 2024. Residential natural gas prices experienced a sharp rise between 2022 and 2023 before stabilizing in 2024. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved ComEd's grid plan for 2024–2027, which aligns rates with decarbonization and reliability goals.

Utility Dive reported that Illinois' Zone 4 capacity prices in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) auction reached $236.66 per megawatt-day (MW-day) in 2022, significantly higher than neighboring zones. These prices later decreased under MISO's 2024 seasonal model but still indicate tighter reserve margins and elevated reliability costs compared to the MISO average.

Halbrook represents Illinois House District 107 and serves on the Energy & Environment Committee. Elected in 2012, he has focused on reducing regulatory burdens and supporting rural utility infrastructure, according to records from the Illinois General Assembly and Ballotpedia.