Pritzker doubles down on clean-energy expansion

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is pushing an aggressive clean energy agenda that includes expanding nuclear and renewable power generation, modernizing the electrical grid, and managing the growing energy demands of data centers. Pritzker acknowledged that rising electricity costs are straining Illinois families, with prices rising 15% from 2024 to 2025, more than triple the national average. He cited insufficient supply, inadequate infrastructure, and higher usage as causes of the high prices. To boost energy supply, Pritzker is promoting nuclear power expansion after the state lifted its moratorium on new reactors. He also wants to make the approval process for new nuclear facilities more efficient. Pritzker's budget plan includes $14 million for EV rebates, $328 million for low-income weatherization, and proposals for solar canopies over state parking lots. He is touting $803 million in electricity bill credits for families in fiscal 2026, on top of $1.3 billion already provided. The governor also wants to require data centers to pay for the capacity resources needed to power their operations, in an effort to keep rates lower for consumers. This reflects growing concerns over the impact of large industrial electricity users on grid demand.