Chicago City Wire

Representative Brad Halbrook of Illinois' 107th District has expressed concerns over the cost and reliability of battery-backed wind and solar energy at scale. He urged policymakers to prioritize affordable and dependable energy solutions over subsidies during a podcast appearance.

"This idea that we can live in this green fantasy, that wind and solar is gonna sustain us, and all we have to do is put battery backups there—it's just not reality," said Halbrook, State Representative from Illinois. "For a four-hour battery storage, it's about one and a half times the cost of the wind or solar facility. For 24-hour backup, it's nine times the cost. We have to separate the fantasy from the real world and quit going back to ratepayers to subsidize it."

Illinois lawmakers have recently advanced new clean-energy legislation that expands storage incentives and virtual power plant programs. However, utilities and consumer groups have warned about potential increases in near-term costs. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has also highlighted issues related to tight capacity margins and transmission constraints as renewable mandates grow under the state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) goals, according to Capitol News Illinois.

Lazard's 2025 Levelized Cost of Storage report indicates that utility-scale four-hour lithium-ion battery systems incur annualized costs ranging from approximately $145 to $319 per kilowatt-year before subsidies, which decrease to $105 to $241 per kilowatt-year with Investment Tax Credit benefits. In contrast, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projects long-duration systems (12–24 hours) could exceed costs of $2,000 to $4,000 per kilowatt, underscoring significant cost disparities for grid-scale backup.

MISO found that grids incorporating over 50% renewables can maintain reliability but necessitate substantial new transmission and firm capacity. Its Renewable Integration Impact Assessment reports increased congestion and balancing costs compared to mixed fossil portfolios, stressing the importance of flexible resources and regional coordination.

Halbrook represents Illinois House District 107 and serves on the Energy & Environment Committee. Elected initially in 2012, he has focused on reducing utility costs, supporting rural infrastructure, and enhancing transparency in energy regulation, as detailed by the Illinois General Assembly.