Fluence energy storage systems.
Illinois families and businesses could see lower energy bills under HB3758/SB2497, a newly filed bill by Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) and Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago).
The bill would save consumers $2.4 billion on energy bills over the next 20 years by establishing a target for Illinois to build 15 GW of clean energy storage — and remove barriers keeping newly built clean energy infrastructure from connecting to the grid.
“With energy prices skyrocketing across the country and leaders in Washington opening the floodgates for fossil fuels, our bill makes it clear that Illinois will remain at the forefront of lowering energy costs while investing in clean energy,” Sen. Cunningham said. “HB3758/SB2497 proves to the nation that we don’t have to choose between taking care of our communities, our economy, and our planet.”
Sen. Cunningham and Rep. Evans introduced HB3758/SB2497 at a time when everyday essentials, from eggs to gas, are getting more expensive due to a multitude of factors at the national level. The legislation aims to address an energy crisis caused by rapid inflation, steep tariffs on many goods used to build and maintain energy infrastructure and a projected energy deficit for Illinois. The bill would also address and rectify significant delays in connecting clean energy projects to regional energy grids.
“At the same time Illinois is retiring non-renewable energy sources, households, businesses and emerging industries are consuming more power than ever,” Rep. Evans said. “HB3758/SB2497 offers a unique opportunity to keep Illinois powered while also staying on track for our ultimate goal of 100% renewable energy.”
The bill would also create a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program that allows consumers with small-scale energy installations — such as solar panels on a home or a wind turbine on a factory — to combine their energy and distribute it throughout the grid during times of high demand, reducing peak demand stress on the grid and lowering energy costs for all.
“This is not just an energy bill. This is also an economic development and jobs bill that will propel Illinois to the forefront of future technology,” said Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), a chief co-sponsor of HB3758/SB2497. “Illinois’ power grid needs this legislation to accommodate high-energy emerging industries such as data centers, quantum computing, and AI. This investment will pay dividends and lower energy bills for decades to come.”
HB3758/SB2497 would contribute to Illinois’ goal of an equitable transition to clean energy. New jobs created will be subject to Illinois’ nation-leading equity requirements established by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), and projects will proceed under labor agreements, ensuring organized labor is at the forefront.
News item from Solar Powers Illinois
