State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), who recently expressed opposition to Senate Bill 2408 – dubbed the "Clean Energy Bill" – has been holding meetings with constituents to hear their concerns. | File photo
State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), who recently expressed opposition to Senate Bill 2408 – dubbed the "Clean Energy Bill" – has been holding meetings with constituents to hear their concerns. | File photo
State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), held a "Coffee and Conversation" event in Vienna on Oct. 14.
The afternoon event at the Vienna City Park Pavilion was the second such event Fowler has participated in during recent weeks. He also participated in a talk with constituents at Anna-Jonesboro Community High on Oct. 7 alongside state Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and state Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville).
Fowler has also recently been expressing his opposition to Senate Bill 2408 – dubbed the "Clean Energy Bill."
Fowler said he opposed the bill because how he fears it would affect ratepayers, according to the Carbondale Reporter.
“This energy proposal was an opportunity to recognize the importance of our coal industry and work collaboratively to establish an energy package that would protect jobs, safeguard Illinois’ energy portfolio and ensure we have reliable energy for Illinoisans," Fowler said. "Disappointingly, the opportunity was missed and it will have costly consequences for Illinoisans.”
The bill passed and Fowler said that he expects the bill will be remembered for the high costs it will produce, according to the Reporter.
“This energy proposal overlooks the reliability that coal provides to Illinois’ energy portfolio, relying instead on massive subsidies for wind and solar while placing a target on our privately-owned coal plants,” Fowler said.
Fowler's sentiments were echoed by state Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich), who also called the 2035 deadline for reducing carbon emissions "arbitrary," according to the Reporter.
“What happens in Illinois is not going to make one iota of a difference in terms of solving the climate change debate," Niemerg said.
Fowler has also expressed disappointment that the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed the Southern Illinois Made Expo to July of 2022, according to The Carbondale Reporter.
"While I am extremely disappointed that we couldn't hold the event this year, the safety and well-being of our attendees and vendors are our top priorities," Fowler said. "This event is expected to bring in hundreds of attendees, and while I look forward to the day that can happen, it's just not realistic now."
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