State hearing focuses on nuclear, renewable energy

CHICAGO (AP) — Advocates for nuclear power and renewable energy told Illinois regulators on Tuesday that those energy sources should play important roles in helping the state meet tougher federal limits on pollutants blamed for global warming.

The Illinois Commerce Commission held the second of three meetings to gather input on a plan that must be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlining how the state will contribute to a sweeping Obama administration proposal to curb carbon dioxide emitted by the nation’s power plants by 30 percent by 2030. Each state was given a customized goal — Illinois’ is a 33 percent reduction from its 2012 levels — and the flexibility to decide how to reach that target.