Dive Brief:
- Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill to boost electricity efficiency and bolster the state's renewable portfolio standard, increasing the share of power coming from green sources to 35% by 2030.
- Midwest Energy News reports the bill largely supports the goals of newly-formed Illinois Clean Energy Coalition, and is likely to have the backing of both the renewable and nuclear sectors.
- The bill — sponsored by Sen. Don Harmon (D) and Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D) — would also institute a market-based solution for dealing with carbon emissions.
Dive Insight:
Illinois regulators will consider a bill to increase Illinois' efficiency and renewable goals, and Midwest Energy News reports that the measure is likely to have the support of the state's nuclear industry because it calls for market-based solutions to carbon emissions.
The bill would authorize the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to place a cap on carbon that would comply with the U.S. EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan and auction off pollution credits to meet that cap. The idea of putting a price on carbon is seen by many as a simple and effective method of compliance with the proposed national carbon regulations, Utility Dive reported last week.
Introduced last week, the bill largely echoes the goals of the Illinois Clean Energy Coalition (ICEC), which describes itself as a "broad-based organization committed to enhancing the availability of reliable, cost-effective, clean energy produced by nuclear and other generation sources, and preserving a strong, competitive electricity market to help fuel our regional economy."
According to the Environmental Defense Fund, which is a member of the ICEC, the bill would boost standards to reduce electricity use in Illinois by 20% by 2025, a 50% increase, and extends the state’s renewable goals to 35% by 2030, up from the state’s current standard of 25% by 2025.
“We urge our colleagues to act now and join us in passing this bill,” Rep. Nekritz said. “In the race to build a long-term, sustainable and profitable clean jobs economy, too many states are beginning to outpace us.”
Exelon, which is the nation's largest nuclear operator and based in Chicago, told a FERC conference last week that it supports a price on carbon to comply with the Clean Power Plan.