(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Advocates for clean energy – and lower utility bills – say to expect discussion, and, they hope, passage, of a bill meant to address expanding home energy costs as well as increased demand from data centers.

Promoting the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, State Rep. Ann Williams (pictured, second from left) (D-Chicago) said, “We want to grow our technology base. We want to have jobs. We want to support organized labor that are filling these really important jobs. But, at the same time, with the huge demand – I think the first time we have seen increased demand in 40-45 years or so – we have to take steps to make sure they pay their fair share. So, we want the data centers, we want the improved tech we want the jobs. But we want to make sure we don’t fall onto the back of regular consumers.”

Citizens Utility Board executive director Sarah Moskowitz (pictured, at mic) said the bill “would create the state’s first battery storage program with the goal of adding six gigawatts of battery storage to the system, enough to power millions of homes in Illinois and help bring down energy prices. Battery storage is like insurance for our power system. By making smart cost-effective investments in storage, Illinois can make our grid more reliable and affordable.”

The advocates hope to pass the bill during the fall veto session, which begins Tuesday, Oct. 14.