Bill > HB3131

This bill creates the Advancing Federally Regulated Illinois Transmission Projects Act, which empowers the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to identify and support large-scale electric transmission infrastructure projects within the PJM Interconnection (a regional electricity transmission organization). The bill specifically allows the Department to pursue the State Agreement Approach (SAA), a federal process for developing and allocating costs for transmission projects that address state policy requirements. To qualify, a project must meet specific criteria, including building over 75 miles of transmission line on existing infrastructure rights-of-way, constructing over 80 miles underground, connecting multiple regional transmission organizations, and transmitting electricity at 500 kV or higher. The bill requires that all project costs be recovered exclusively from Illinois ratepayers and mandates that the Illinois Commerce Commission streamline the approval process for qualifying transmission projects. Additionally, the bill requires any general contractor working on the project to enter into project labor agreements, and it aims to improve electricity system resilience, reliability, and clean energy access, particularly for utilities serving more than 3 million customers in the state. The legislation is directly connected to Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and seeks to expedite the development of critical electric transmission infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3131&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104