Jump to main content.

Illinois

Clean Energy: State Climate and Energy Program logo.
State Programs
Definitions
Related Links

State Planning and Incentive Structures | Energy Efficiency Actions | Energy Supply Actions

State Planning and Incentive Structures

Lead By Example—Energy Efficiency in Public Facilities

Status: Completed

Details: SB 2868 (2006) revises the Capital Development Board Act Section 10.09-5 so that the energy code adopted by the Board shall incorporate ASHRAE standards and that the Board shall consult with the Department of Commerce when proposing rules. SB 0250 (2005) requires any construction of state-owned facilities to use the best available energy conservation technologies and mandated that 3 projects be used as case studies to achieve certification from a green building rating system. The statute also requires an advisory board to determine guidelines for which state construction and major renovation projects should be developed to green building standards.

Lead By Example—Energy Efficient Appliance and Equipment Purchase Requirements for Public Facilities

Status: Completed

Details: Executive Order 11 (2002) requires that all state agencies include specifications requiring ENERGY STAR-approved equipment when purchasing office equipment.

Lead By Example—Clean Energy Goals for Public Facilities

Status: Completed

Details: In January 2007, Illinois established a goal for state agencies to purchase 3% of their power from renewable sources by the end of 2007, 4% by the end of 2008, and 5% by the end of 2009. Executive Order 6 (2002) required the Department of Central Management Services and affected executive state agencies to purchase sufficient quantities of renewable energy so that 5% of the overall annual electricity requirements of buildings owned or operated by executive state agencies will be met through renewable energy resources by 2010, increasing to 15% by 2020.

Lead By Example—Energy Efficiency and Alternative Fuel Goals for Public Fleets

Status: Completed

Details: Executive Order 11 (December 5, 2001) calls for state agencies to reduce the amount of gasoline and diesel fuel used in state fleets and to increase the use of ethanol in state fleets. Statute (30 ILCS 500/45-60) requires that in awarding contracts involving vehicle procurement, state agencies must give preference to an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of vehicles powered by ethanol produced from Illinois corn or biodiesel fuels produced from Illinois soybeans.

State and Regional Energy Planning

Status: Completed

Details: In August 2006, Governor Blagojevich laid out a far-reaching Sustainable Energy Plan, a large portion of which focuses on new ethanol, biodiesel, and coal gasification projects. Specific goals include meeting 50% of the state's motor fuel needs with alternative homegrown energy sources from crops and coal by 2017, meeting 10% of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2015, and reducing motor fuel consumption by 10% by 2017. The plan also includes the construction of a pipeline to transport CO2 from Central to Southeastern Illinois where it will be used to enhance oil and gas recovery.

Determining the Air Quality Benefits of Clean Energy—Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Set Asides (NOX Budget Trading Program)

Status: No Activity Identified

Determining the Air Quality Benefits of Clean Energy—Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Set Asides (CAIR Budget Trading Program)

Status: Completed

Details: Illinois' CAIR Annual and Ozone Season programs reserve 25% of the state's NOx allowances for "Clean Air Set-Asides." The eligible project types are broader than other state set-aside programs, and include certain control upgrades and clean coal technologies such as IGCC and fluidized bed coal combustion. This program is classified under Ozone Season Trading Program Subpart D, Section 225.460 and 225.560.

Top of page

Energy Efficiency Actions

Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards

Status: Completed

Details: On November 15, 2007, Illinois signed the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, committing to an overall 2% reduction in energy use by 2015.
Illinois Governor Blagojevich signed into law Public Act 095-0481 on August 28, 2007, which requires utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency programs to meet an escalating savings target that reaches 2% of energy delivered in 2015, and requires a reduction in peak demand of 0.1% each year from 2008 to 2018.
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) announced on July 20, 2005, that it had adopted new standards for the use of energy efficiency by the state's electric utilities. Under the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, utility companies will create new programs to help their customers invest in energy saving equipment and technologies, causing a 10% decrease in the growth in electricity demand by 2007 and a 25% lower growth in demand by 2015. On February 14, 2005, the governor submitted a plan to the ICC for a EEPS/RPS recommending that the ICC establish goals for electric utilities to procure energy efficiency and demand reduction services to reduce electricity consumption in IL by 10% by 2008, 15% by 2011, 20% by 2014, and 25% by 2017. It additionally recommends that utilities enter into competitive long-term (e.g. at least 10-year) contracts with efficiency services providers to meet the annual goals of the EEPS.

Public Benefit Funds for Energy Efficiency

Status: Completed

Details: Public Act 95-0481, passed on August 28, 2007, requires utilities to contribute a pro-rata share (based on the number of kilowatt-hours sold during the previous year) of a total amount of $3 million to the Illinois Energy Efficiency Trust Fund. This fund, established in December 1997 by PA 90-561, is a PBF that raises $83 million annually, with $75 million going towards low income assistance. It provides funding for energy efficiency ($3 million) and renewable energy ($5 million). The funds contribute to programs for low-income households, and programs to replace energy inefficient appliances with more efficient models. The Energy Efficiency Trust Fund is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), which is authorized to determine how funds are used.

Building Codes for Energy Efficiency—Commercial Programs

Status: Goes Beyond ECPA

Details: 2006 IECC and 2004 ASHRAE 90, mandatory statewide. Can use COMcheck to show compliance.

Building Codes for Energy Efficiency—Residential Programs

Status: No Activity Identified

Details: Illinois is considered a "home rule" state because the state permits local governments to pass their own building codes in lieu of a statewide code.

State Appliance Efficiency Standards

Status: No Activity Identified

Top of page

Energy Supply Actions

Renewable Portfolio Standards

Status: Completed

Details: On November 15, 2007, Illinois signed the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, committing to a region-wide 10% renewable energy standard by 2015.
On August 28, 2007, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law a renewable energy standard in Public Act 095-0481 that will require Illinois utilities to supply 2% of their power from renewable energy sources by 2008, 10% by 2015 and 25% by 2025.

Public Benefit Funds for Clean Energy Supply

Status: Completed

Details: Enacted August 28, 2007, PA 095-0481 established charges of $0.05 per month for residential electric service and residential gas service, $0.50 per month for small nonresidential electric and gas service, and $37.50 per month for large nonresidential electric and gas service. All funds go to the state's Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund.
PA 90-561, signed in December 1997, established a Public Benefits Fund that raises $83 million annually with $75 million going towards low income assistance. It provides funding for energy efficiency ($3 million) and renewable energy ($5 million). The funds contribute to programs for low-income households, and programs to replace energy inefficient appliances with more efficient models.

Output-Based Environmental Regulations

Status: Completed

Details: Illinois will have output-based regulations for new and existing units as well as their energy efficiency/renewable energy set-aside as a part of CAIR.

Interconnection Standards—Clean Distributed Generation

Status: Completed

Details: In August 2007, Illinois enacted legislation (S.B. 680) requiring the Illinois Corporation Commission (ICC) to establish standards for net metering and interconnection for renewable energy systems by April 1, 2008. Although S.B. 680 only requires the promulgation of interconnection standards for "eligible renewable generating equipment," the ICC chose to take this opportunity to develop standards for all distributed generation up to 10 megawatts (MW). Final interconnection standards were adopted by the ICC in August 2008.

Interconnection Standards—Net Metering

Status: Completed

Details: On May 15, 2008, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) enacted a net metering rule (Case # 07-0483) that meets the requirements of legislation passed in August 2007 (SB 0680), requiring all electricity providers, exept municipal and electric cooperatives, to offer net metering to all customers by April 1, 2008.

Top of page

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.