This week, Governor JB Pritzker issued Executive Order 2026-01 to accelerate the development of nuclear power generation in the state of Illinois. State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), who has been working on a bipartisan basis for the past few years to expand nuclear power capabilities in Illinois, released the following statement in response:
“I don’t often agree with the Governor, but recognizing the benefits of advancements in nuclear energy production and expanding the dominance Illinois holds in nuclear energy generation is an area in which I’m happy we do agree.
“For the past few years, I’ve been working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to champion the repeal of the moratorium on nuclear energy projects. First, by repealing the ban on small modular reactors and then completely ending the entire moratorium.
“Amazing developments are happening in nuclear energy, and each year, more and more innovation is on the horizon. The only way we can possibly expect to have plenty of affordable, reliable baseload power without a carbon footprint is through nuclear power.
“Illinois can once again be a leader in energy generation with the most reliable and effective form of clean energy there is: nuclear energy.”
EO 2026-01 specifically instructs the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Illinois Power Agency to develop a Notice of Inquiry to assist in the development of future nuclear projects in the state of Illinois.
Illinois is currently the largest producer of nuclear energy in the U.S., generating roughly 50 percent of the state’s net generation, but a 40-year moratorium on new nuclear power projects prevented further use of the carbon-free energy source. The mortarium was recently fully repealed.