summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
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.
AI Summary
This bill creates the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Pilot Program Act, which aims to develop offshore wind energy in Lake Michigan while prioritizing economic opportunities for underrepresented communities. The bill establishes the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Fund to support workforce development and infrastructure related to a new utility-scale offshore wind project. Specifically, the bill requires the Illinois Power Agency to procure at least 700,000 renewable energy credits annually for 20 years from a new offshore wind project located in Lake Michigan. The project must have a capacity of over 150 megawatts and include an equity and inclusion plan that creates opportunities for underrepresented populations near the project site. Applicants for the offshore wind project will be evaluated on factors including project viability, local economic impact, environmental considerations, and equity plan scoring. The bill sets a customer protection mechanism to limit the potential rate impact to customers, ensuring that the additional costs from the offshore wind project do not exceed 4.5% of the electricity rates from 2009. The legislation is part of Illinois' broader efforts to transition to clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and create job opportunities in underserved communities, with the goal of developing offshore wind resources in the Great Lakes region.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (on 03/21/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3464&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB3464.htm |
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