With areas of Illinois facing possible brownouts and blackouts, is it time to hold off on shutting down coal power plants? State Representative Mike Coffey, appearing on the WTAX Morning Newswatch, says he is very concerned about the state’s energy crisis.  “No one talks about it, but if you’re on the left side or right side of the political scale, we’ve got an energy crisis in the state – especially downstate Illinois,” says Coffey.  He adds with cleaner energy sources like wind and solar, “the problem is that it’s not sustainable for our energy needs in about three years.”

Coffey says that’s what happens in government. Bills are passed, and they’re not practical and they’re not ready to be implemented. The mandated move to cleaner energy sources is, according to Coffey, also resulting in higher utility bills.