December 2025 Committee Meeting

Article Summary: The Montgomery County Coordinating Committee reviewed a state-mandated report warning of electricity shortages starting later this decade. The shortages are driven by rapid data center growth and the retirement of aging power plants.

Power Grid Key Points:

• Ameren Timeline: Shortages in the Ameren territory are expected to begin in 2031 and escalate sharply through 2035.

• Primary Drivers: The report cites explosive growth in data center demand and the retirement of coal and gas plants due to the 2021 clean energy law.

• Construction Delays: New gas plants require five to seven years to build, while wind and solar projects face transmission and supply chain delays.

The Montgomery County Coordinating Committee on Friday, December 26, 2025, reviewed a sobering report issued by the Illinois Power Agency, Illinois EPA, and the Illinois Commerce Commission. The document warns of a “credible risk of electricity shortages” facing the state in the coming years.

According to the summary presented to the board, the shortages are projected to hit the PJM region (affecting ComEd) by 2029 and the MISO region (affecting Ameren) by 2031. The report highlights that explosive growth in electricity demand from data centers was not fully anticipated when Illinois adopted its 2021 clean energy law, which targets net-zero carbon by 2045.

The committee noted that while the state may have enough capacity on paper, reliability issues could persist because neighboring states are also short on power, limiting the ability to import electricity during peak demand. The report indicates that a follow-up study due by 2027 will propose solutions, potentially including more renewables, batteries, or delays in emission requirements.

Coordinating Committee News Briefs

• EMA Grant and Vehicle: EMA Director Dan Hough reported that the department received back-dated EPA grant reimbursements totaling over $70,000. Additionally, Hough anticipates advertising for bids for a new EMA vehicle and intends to trade in three older vehicles to help defray the cost.

• Sheriff Vehicle Bids: The committee reviewed a lone bid from Victory Lane Chrysler in Carlinville for two new Police Pursuit Dodge Durangos. The dealer offered two options: one for $39,062 (including a $6,000 trade-in) and another for $34,587 (including a $9,000 trade-in). Committee member Chad Ruppert indicated he may ask the full board to pull one of the trade-ins so the vehicle can be repurposed for Animal Control use.

• FOIA Workload Survey: The committee reviewed survey results from the United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI) regarding how other counties handle Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The survey revealed that many counties are struggling with requests from “independent journalists” seeking information to sell. The committee is exploring solutions, such as dedicated software or assigning a specific FOIA officer, to manage the growing administrative burden.

• Cemetery Grant Denied: The committee was notified that the county’s application for the FY26 Cemetery Relief Grant was rejected by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Chairman Doug Donaldson thanked County Board Administrative Assistant Lucas Nowlan for his work on the application despite the outcome.