summary
Introduced
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, prior to approving or directing any decarbonization pathway, pilot program, infrastructure investment, or regulatory mandate related to the natural gas distribution system, the Commission shall conduct a comprehensive, independent cost-benefit analysis that evaluates: (i) life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions; (ii) cumulative energy system costs, including any stranded asset risks estimated at no less than $80,000,000,000 by 2050 under high-electrification scenarios; (iii) ratepayer bill impacts for all customer classes, with a focus on low-income and non-migrating customers; (iv) system reliability and safety under State standards; (v) equity impacts, including cost shifts to vulnerable populations; (vi) workforce and job impacts; and (vii) the extent to which competitive market mechanisms, such as private investment, third-party financing, and supplier competition, can achieve equivalent or superior outcomes at lower costs. Provides that the Commission shall not approve a decarbonization pathway, pilot program, infrastructure investment, or regulatory mandate unless the pathway, program, investment, or mandate demonstrates net benefits under the cost-benefit analysis without prioritizing an approach where regulated solutions increase costs without proportional benefits. Provides that the Commission shall use transparent, market-based data from sources such as PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM), Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO), and Chicago Citygate and coordinate with applicable biennial long-term gas infrastructure plans.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Illinois Commerce Commission (the "Commission") to conduct a thorough, independent cost-benefit analysis before approving any plans, programs, investments, or regulations related to the natural gas distribution system. This analysis must evaluate several factors, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over their entire lifespan, the total cost to the energy system (including potential losses of up to $80 billion by 2050 if electricity use increases significantly), how customer bills will be affected for all types of customers, especially low-income and those who cannot easily switch providers, the reliability and safety of the system according to state standards, fairness to vulnerable populations by examining how costs might be shifted, the impact on jobs and the workforce, and whether private investment and competition could achieve similar or better results more cheaply. The Commission cannot approve any of these initiatives unless the cost-benefit analysis shows they provide overall benefits, and they should not favor regulated solutions that raise costs without clear advantages. The analysis will use publicly available data from grid operators like PJM and MISO, as well as market prices, and will involve coordination with long-term gas infrastructure plans.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Assignments (on 02/06/2026)
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