Durbin Talks Clean Energy With Illinois Municipal Electric And Utilities Association
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Municipal Electric/Utilities Association (IMEA/IMUA) to discuss clean energy tax incentives and grid security. During their conversation, Durbin discussed the impact of theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on the energy sector, highlighting how Illinois is primed to become a leader in clean energy and a trailblazer in electric vehicle production.
Durbin and IMEA/IMUA also spoke about the shortage of transformers, which are an essential component of electrical infrastructure that adjusts the voltage of currents moving through electrical wires. Due to a sluggish supply chain, building sectors and utilities are grappling with an unprecedented shortage of transformers. Consequently, the U.S. faces challenges in the implementation of IIJA funding to upgrade the electric grid to accommodate increased demand for electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies.
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act delivered a much-needed jolt to our economy, helping us bounce back from the devastating shockwaves delivered by the pandemic,” said Durbin. “I had an exciting conversation with IMEA and IMUA this afternoon about how the federal government can help our state roll out new clean energy programs that benefit our economy, consumers, transit systems, and planet for the long-haul.”
A photo of the meeting is available here.
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