Illinois companies seek access to cheaper power.(Energy and the Environment)

If 32 Illinois industrial companies have their way, changes will be made to state laws that could allow them to buy electricity out of state within two years.

Under current federal regulations, municipalities are allowed to buy energy from other areas of their state, or from out of state, if there is a cost advantage. Similarly, utility companies may buy energy from other utility companies at lower wholesale rates, and then resell it to their own customers.

However, businesses in Illinois, and most other states, including Missouri, are prevented from buying energy from outside utility companies because power is only available to commercial ventures through …