Energy (Transmission)

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a portable solar generation device shall be exempt from (i) net metering program and interconnection requirements under provisions concerning net electricity metering and (ii) any rules adopted pursuant to those provisions. Provides that a portable solar generation device shall include a device or feature that prevents the portable solar generation device from energizing a building's electrical system during a power outage. Provides that an electricity provider shall not require an eligible customer who uses, or intends to install and use, a portable solar generation device to do any of the following: (1) obtain the electricity provider's approval before installing or using the portable solar generation device; (2) pay a fee or charge related to the installation or use of the portable solar generation device; or (3) install additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the portable solar generation device. Provides that an electricity provider shall not be liable for any damage or injury caused by an eligible customer's portable solar generation device.

Creates the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Pilot Program Act. Creates the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Fund as a special fund in the State treasury and makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Provides that the Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to encourage and facilitate the employment of construction workforces located in underrepresented populations. Provides that applicants that are applying for a new utility-scale offshore wind project with the Illinois Power Agency shall file with the Department, as part of the applicant's application, an equity and inclusion plan. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning the procurement of renewable energy credits, provides that in addition to the amount of renewable energy credits to be procured from wind projects, the Illinois Power Agency shall procure at least 700,000 renewable energy credits, delivered annually for at least 20 years, from one new utility-scale offshore wind project. In provisions concerning the development of a long-term renewable resources procurement plan, provides that the total of renewable energy resources procured under the procurement plan shall be reduced for all retail customers based on the amount necessary to limit the annual estimated average net increase due to the costs of these resources included in the amounts paid by eligible retail customers in connection with electric service to no more than 4.25% of the amount paid per kilowatthour by those customers during the year ending May 31, 2009, and to no more than 4.5% of that amount as of the billing month following the expected date that a new utility-scale offshore wind project commences commercial operations and is expected to begin delivering power to the PJM Interconnection, LLC transmission grid. Provides that the Agency shall conduct at least one new utility-scale offshore wind procurement within 360 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Defines terms. Sets forth findings. Requires an electric utility that operates within the State to (i) upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems as needed and in time to achieve the State's decarbonization goals, and implement federal, State, regional, and local air quality and decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations, (ii) conduct sufficient advance planning, engineering, and construction of increased distribution of system capacity by advance ordering transformers and other needed equipment so that customers can be energized without substantial delay, (iii) promptly energize new customers, including by ensuring that new housing, new businesses, and new charging for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and equipment can be used without delay caused by a failure of the utility to implement energization projects, (iv) promptly upgrade service when needed by customers, (v) allow customers seeking energization to choose an optional flexible connection agreement, which shall provide a tariffed, voluntary utility offering that requires customers to agree to specified service levels as a requirement of energization or interconnection through the use of demand response technology that limits the net import and export of electricity at the point of common coupling to remain within the rated capacity limits of a customer's existing service connection or distribution circuit, either on a permanent basis or to allow for immediate project operations before service or distribution system upgrades are completed, and (vi) recruit, train, and retain an adequately sized and qualified workforce to carry out the planning, engineering, and construction of electrical distribution systems needed to promptly serve customers seeking energization and service upgrades without sacrificing other necessary activities of the workforce. Sets forth provisions concerning: the staffing of an electrification team; electric utility requirements; recovery of costs; and safety standards. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Pilot Program Act. Creates the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Fund as a special fund in the State treasury and makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Provides that the Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to encourage and facilitate the employment of construction workforces located in underrepresented populations. Provides that applicants that are applying for a new utility-scale offshore wind project with the Illinois Power Agency shall file with the Department, as part of the applicant's application, an equity and inclusion plan. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning the procurement of renewable energy credits, provides that in addition to the amount of renewable energy credits to be procured from wind projects, the Illinois Power Agency shall procure at least 700,000 renewable energy credits, delivered annually for at least 20 years, from one new utility-scale offshore wind project. In provisions concerning the development of a long-term renewable resources procurement plan, provides that the total of renewable energy resources procured under the procurement plan shall be reduced for all retail customers based on the amount necessary to limit the annual estimated average net increase due to the costs of these resources included in the amounts paid by eligible retail customers in connection with electric service to no more than 4.25% of the amount paid per kilowatthour by those customers during the year ending May 31, 2009, and to no more than 4.5% of that amount as of the billing month following the expected date that a new utility-scale offshore wind project commences commercial operations and is expected to begin delivering power to the PJM Interconnection, LLC transmission grid. Provides that the Agency shall conduct at least one new utility-scale offshore wind procurement within 360 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Advancing Federally Regulated Illinois Transmission Projects Act. Provides that the Department of Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may identify one or more Projects for potential application of the PJM State Agreement Approach that the Director determines may improve the resilience, reliability, and access to clean energy of the ratepayers of a public utility with more than 3,000,000 customers in this State. Sets forth eligibility criteria for the projects. Sets forth provisions concerning applications. Amends the Public Utilities Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Defines terms. Sets forth findings. Requires an electric utility that operates within the State to (i) upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems as needed and in time to achieve the State's decarbonization goals, and implement federal, State, regional, and local air quality and decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations, (ii) conduct sufficient advance planning, engineering, and construction of increased distribution of system capacity by advance ordering transformers and other needed equipment so that customers can be energized without substantial delay, (iii) promptly energize new customers, including by ensuring that new housing, new businesses, and new charging for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and equipment can be used without delay caused by a failure of the utility to implement energization projects, (iv) promptly upgrade service when needed by customers, (v) allow customers seeking energization to choose an optional flexible connection agreement, which shall provide a tariffed, voluntary utility offering that requires customers to agree to specified service levels as a requirement of energization or interconnection through the use of demand response technology that limits the net import and export of electricity at the point of common coupling to remain within the rated capacity limits of a customer's existing service connection or distribution circuit, either on a permanent basis or to allow for immediate project operations before service or distribution system upgrades are completed, and (vi) recruit, train, and retain an adequately sized and qualified workforce to carry out the planning, engineering, and construction of electrical distribution systems needed to promptly serve customers seeking energization and service upgrades without sacrificing other necessary activities of the workforce. Sets forth provisions concerning: the staffing of an electrification team; electric utility requirements; recovery of costs; and safety standards. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Adds and modifies definitions of terms. Authorizes the Illinois Power Agency to conduct competitive solicitations to procure contracted energy storage credits sufficient to achieve certain energy storage standards; to request, review, and accept proposals; to execute contracts; and to procure energy storage credits. Requires the Agency to develop a storage procurement plan. Authorizes the Agency to develop and implement a firm energy resource procurement plan. Makes other changes. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires each electric utility to demonstrate sufficient resources devoted to interconnection. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to perform specified actions regarding interconnection within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. In a provision regarding virtual power plant programs, requires each electric utility serving more than 300,000 customers as of January 1, 2023 to propose an initial tariff within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. In a provision regarding peak remediation programs, requires each electric utility serving more than 300,000 retail customers as of January 1, 2023 to propose an initial tariff within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the Commission to establish a working group with relevant stakeholders to develop a stand-alone energy storage distribution deployment program. Provides that, beginning on June 1, 2024, the electric utility shall be entitled to recover through tariffed charges all of the costs associated with the purchase of energy storage credits to meet specified energy storage standards. Requires the Agency to prepare an energy storage resources procurement plan for the procurement of energy storage credits. Requires the Commission to establish an Office of Interconnection and Renewable Development, which shall (i) actively seek input from all interested parties and shall develop a thorough understanding and critical analyses of the tools and techniques used to promote development and remove barriers to development of the projects and devices, and (ii) monitor interconnection between electric utilities and applicants for interconnection and interconnection customers. Sets forth reporting requirements for the Office. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Adds and modifies definitions of terms. Authorizes the Illinois Power Agency to conduct competitive solicitations to procure contracted energy storage credits sufficient to achieve certain energy storage standards; to request, review, and accept proposals; to execute contracts; and to procure energy storage credits. Requires the Agency to develop a storage procurement plan. Authorizes the Agency to develop and implement a firm energy resource procurement plan. Makes other changes. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires each electric utility to demonstrate sufficient resources devoted to interconnection. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to perform specified actions regarding interconnection within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. In a provision regarding virtual power plant programs, requires each electric utility serving more than 300,000 customers as of January 1, 2023 to propose an initial tariff within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. In a provision regarding peak remediation programs, requires each electric utility serving more than 300,000 retail customers as of January 1, 2023 to propose an initial tariff within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the Commission to establish a working group with relevant stakeholders to develop a stand-alone energy storage distribution deployment program. Provides that, beginning on June 1, 2024, the electric utility shall be entitled to recover through tariffed charges all of the costs associated with the purchase of energy storage credits to meet specified energy storage standards. Requires the Agency to prepare an energy storage resources procurement plan for the procurement of energy storage credits. Requires the Commission to establish an Office of Interconnection and Renewable Development, which shall (i) actively seek input from all interested parties and shall develop a thorough understanding and critical analyses of the tools and techniques used to promote development and remove barriers to development of the projects and devices, and (ii) monitor interconnection between electric utilities and applicants for interconnection and interconnection customers. Sets forth reporting requirements for the Office. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Advancing Federally Regulated Illinois Transmission Projects Act. Provides that the Department of Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may identify one or more Projects for potential application of the PJM State Agreement Approach that the Director determines may improve the resilience, reliability, and access to clean energy of the ratepayers of a public utility with more than 3,000,000 customers in this State. Sets forth eligibility criteria for the projects. Sets forth provisions concerning applications. Amends the Public Utilities Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.