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Rich — I’ve been keeping up with your good reporting on the ComEd/Exelon scandals and wanted to give you a heads up. We will launch a new TV ad (YouTube link here) statewide on cable news beginning tomorrow a.m. (7/28) and extend to local broadcast shortly after. We want to say loud and clear that Illinois can get clean energy legislation without kowtowing to ComEd and Exelon, and without Illinois ratepayers continuing to shoulder the cost. I just wanted to make sure you saw the spot before it goes live — feel free to share as you see fit.
A little background info — After all that’s come to light over the last year (and especially the last 2 weeks) regarding the 2016 FEJA bailout, we simply can’t go down that path again. ComEd has admitted to bribery and, with the ICC meeting on ethics reforms this Wednesday, it feels like the right time for lawmakers to say once and for all that they’ll give no more subsidies or bailouts to ComEd and Exelon. That includes stripping subsidies out of the current clean energy jobs bill. We saw Representative Williams’ announcement last week that she’ll add accountability measures to CEJA — it’s a good start and we agree but it needs to go further. She should also remove subsidies that would go directly to Exelon and ComEd so Illinois can transition to a clean energy future without continuing to put families and taxpayers at risk.
Again, just wanted to give you a heads up. Have a great evening,
Lacie
Clean Energy Transition Project
According to Comcast, the group is spending $58K through August 9, mainly in Chicago, but also some in the Champaign and Peoria areas. The group suddenly started spending big bucks on Facebook last year and has spent $71K since May. I’m not sure who they are or what they want by way of a “transition” to clean energy. The website is no help, either.
* Anyway, check it out…
*** UPDATE *** Rep. Ann Williams…
Rich:
I am not familiar with the “Clean Energy Transition Project” and haven’t heard from this group with concerns about my bill. In the current climate, I question the judgment of a nameless, faceless dark money group inserting itself in Illinois’ energy discussions via paid ads.
The group appears to be a “front group” for fossil fuel companies who don’t like the provisions of the Clean Energy Jobs Act that prioritize carbon free power sources over polluting fossil fuels in the capacity market. My bill will eliminate the ongoing subsidy of the fossil fuel industry, which benefits coal and gas companies while costing Illinois consumers over $1B a year. No wonder this group is running ads designed to mislead Illinois consumers by claiming ComEd/Exelon is “hijacking” the clean energy legislation.
As Senate sponsor Cristina Castro and I have repeatedly stated, the utilities and power companies will no longer be dictating energy policy in Illinois. The recent and stunning admission of ComEd was the nail in that coffin.
Our plan is to prioritize carbon free resources first as we work to build up renewables in Illinois, eventually to 100% renewable energy sources, and we will not do this by continuing to prop up polluting fossil fuel plants. Our planet cannot afford it. We will, however, work to ensure that all utilities and power companies be held accountable and answerable to Illinois ratepayers, and that the illegal manipulation of the legislative process is over. Energy policy can and should be driven by the best interests of consumers, communities and our environment – not by corporate profits.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 9:13 am
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Who is providing the funding for “Clean Energy Transition Project?” There’s no info on the website. I would assume another major energy co. that’s a competitor to Exelon. The message is good but the dark money is not.
Comment by illinoyed Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 9:21 am
Unless they have several million dollars to put behind this ad, they can stop wasting our time. And come clean on who’s cutting the checks.
Comment by Shytown Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 9:42 am
Googling Lacie Newton and Clean Energy Transition Project tells me that they formally incorporated in January 2020 out of Midlothian, VA.
Comment by DuPage Guy Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 9:49 am
I don’t know anything about the group, but this is one hard hitting well done Ad.
Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 10:43 am
Comed torpedoed and sank the Rock Island Clean Line project. The companies that were invested in that might have an interest in donating to CETP(if they haven’t already).
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 12:43 pm
perfidy
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 1:30 pm
There are so many companies who have been torpedoed by ComEd/Exelon over the years that narrowing it down using that criteria won’t be enough. A real life game of Clue. Fun!
Comment by Karen is upset Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 2:15 pm
==the utilities and power companies will no longer be dictating energy policy in Illinois==
==On or about January 20, 2016, Individual A contacted CEO-1 and wrote, “I am sure you know how valuable [Lawyer A] is to our Friend [Public Official A],” and then went on to write, “I know the drill and so do you. If you do not get involve [sic] and resolve this issue of 850 hours for his law firm per year then he will go to our Friend [Public Official A]. Our Friend [Public Official A] will call me and then I will call you. Is this a drill we must go through?” CEO-1 replied in writing, “Sorry. No one informed me. I am on this.” Thereafter, CEO-1 tasked a ComEd employee, who was assigned as a “project manager” to assist with the project of obtaining legislative approval of FEJA, to ensure that Law Firm A’s contract was renewed.==
Seems like an indication of who’s been doing the dictating.
Comment by Anonanonsir Tuesday, Jul 28, 20 @ 7:36 pm