State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris), Co-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Energy Supply Task Force, traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to lead a two-day series of discussions with lawmakers, utility leaders, grid operators, and energy experts from across the country.
The Task Force convened November 17–18 to examine the challenges facing America’s energy systems, including skyrocketing electricity demand, the strain of rapid data center growth, grid reliability, cybersecurity threats, wildfire mitigation, and the need for cost-conscious energy planning.
Senator Rezin co-chaired multiple sessions throughout the meeting, including panels on energy infrastructure, reliability and affordability, and a capstone discussion on wildfire policy and grid resilience. The conference also included federal briefings and a visit to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
“States across the country are grappling with the same challenges Illinois faces: rising energy demand, grid reliability concerns, and questions about how to responsibly plan for the future,” said Senator Rezin. “This Task Force brings together policymakers and industry experts to share best practices, improve transparency, and work toward solutions that keep energy affordable and reliable for families everywhere.”
The meeting featured briefings from national energy organizations, including the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), American Public Power Association (APPA), National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), American Gas Association (AGA), and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). Topics included security of natural gas infrastructure, financing energy generation projects, utility-sector preparedness, and the emerging impact of artificial intelligence on electricity demand.
Rezin noted that Illinois is experiencing some of the fastest industrial and data-center growth in the Midwest, putting new pressure on a grid already facing plant retirements and policy-driven generation shutdowns.
“Other states are acting quickly to build new nuclear and expand reliable generation, and Illinois must do the same,” continued Senator Rezin. “Our grid needs real power, not just promises. These national discussions help reinforce what we already know: if Illinois wants to stay competitive, keep rates stable, and prevent shortages, then we must commit to reliable and stable baseload generation like nuclear power.”
Senator Rezin has served as Co-Chair of the Energy Supply Task Force since 2022.