Governor Pritzker takes important step toward advancing nuclear energy in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, Il. – Today, Governor Pritzker issued an executive order that will support the deployment of new nuclear facilities in Illinois.
“Today’s executive order by Governor Pritzker will help accelerate Illinois’ climate progress by further integrating nuclear facilities into energy planning processes and identifying new state policies to support nuclear development,” said Wibke Heymach, Senior Midwest Regional Policy Manager at Clean Air Task Force (CATF). “Deploying clean firm technologies, like nuclear power, complements renewable energy and is essential to achieving Illinois’ 100% carbon-free energy goal by midcentury while meeting growing energy demand, addressing affordability, and improving air quality. We applaud Governor Pritzker for his leadership on nuclear energy and look forward to working with his administration and other stakeholders to advance this safe, carbon-free energy source in Illinois.”
More than half of Illinois’ electricity already comes from nuclear resources, which have operated safely and reliable in the state for decades. The executive order directs multiple strategic actions for new nuclear development, covering energy planning, economic development, workforce training, and enabling policies. For example, the Illinois Commerce Commission will issue a notice of inquiry (NOI) to potential developers of new nuclear facilities and another NOI to communities interested in hosting a new facility. This information will inform the next Integrated Resource Plan. The executive order also directs establishment of an interagency workgroup that will issue a report to the governor’s office with recommendations to enable construction to begin on at least 2GW of new nuclear capacity 2033.
At the end of 2023, Illinois partially repealed its long-standing moratorium on new nuclear units by allowing construction of new smaller reactors with capacity less than 300 MWe. The passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act last fall removed the 300 MWe limit to allow new large scale nuclear plants. Today’s executive order takes an important next step for the state’s nuclear future.
Press Contact
Samantha Sadowski, Senior Communications Manager, U.S., ssadowski@catf.us, +1 202-440-1717
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With 30 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
