Rep. Weaver: We Need to Focus on Supply and Demand When Considering Energy Policies

The utility bills paid by Illinoisans soared this past summer. The monthly bad news coincided with the shutdowns of many Illinois coal-burning power plants, which rank among the cleanest coal plants in the world.

Electricity is an essential commodity, and suppliers licensed to sell electricity in Illinois were compelled to buy peak-load power supplies through a limited number of interstate grids that sold electricity to Illinois from generating plants located outside this state.

Moving forward, we must enact better policies that produce more energy, knock off the cap on our natural gas plants, stop shutting down clean coal plants, and get serious about bringing nuclear plants back online. It's simple economics. If you have more supply, prices go down.

And while electric rates are set to decline for the upcoming winter and spring months, rates for next summer are projected to be even higher than they were this year. Learn more here: Ameren Illinois electricity prices changing for winter and spring. Here's what to know