The Midcontinent Unbiased System Operator board voted to approve almost $10.5 billion in new transmission investments Monday. 

The MISO vote approves the primary part of tasks for the Lengthy Vary Transmission Planning course of.

The part totals 18 tasks and almost $10.5 billion in new transmission system investments anticipated to offer MISO ratepayers between $37 and $69 billion in advantages.

The Illinois Clear Jobs Coalition applauded the measure however nonetheless stated MISO wanted to “act sooner” and stated if Ameren houses go darkish, MISO’s “inaction” will likely be accountable.

“They need to transfer sooner to approve these renewable power tasks that can convey down costs and enhance grid reliability,” the coalition stated in an announcement. 

MISO had beforehand warned of power reliability points, even going so far as issuing advisories on doable rolling blackouts. 

State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, stated that the change to scrub power might be carried out with out closing a number of coal fired energy vegetation in southern Illinois.

“Everybody within the MISO grid goes to be affected by this,” Bryant instructed The Middle Sq.. “We may have saved the nuclear plant with out destroying coal and pure gasoline. We may have moved ahead on wind and photo voltaic with out destroying coal and pure gasoline.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a inexperienced power regulation final yr that requires coal-fired energy vegetation within the state to shut by 2045.

The portfolio accredited on Monday estimates to energy 1,825,366 houses and create 31,735 jobs in Illinois.