ComEd and other utility companies, environmental organizations, citizen groups and the Mayors Caucus have been engaged in discussions for the last several months on revising the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard statutes. While the legislation has taken a back seat to the budget impasse, action is expected to be taken on it in 2016.

Caucus Position

The Caucus’ Executive Committee approved at its January 11, 2016 meeting the following recommendations of the Caucus’ Environmental Committee to guide the Caucus as it represents municipal interests in any discussions or negotiations related to clean energy supply, energy efficiency, grid resilience and consideration of ratepayers. The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus supports the growth of renewable energy capacity and increased energy efficiency in Illinois which will:

  • Grow clean energy industries and create sustainable new jobs;
  • Increase investment in sustainable energy infrastructure;
  • Improve utility services in communities;
  • Strengthen the region’s resilience;
  • Result in utility policies and investments which will benefit the majority of electric customers, especially low-income customers; and
  • Lead to administrative changes to the Renewable Portfolio Standard and the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard which will assure expeditious investment of funds in clean energy, as intended.

More specific policy and investment recommendations are categorized in the following focus areas:

Renewable Energy

  • Restructure the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to allow funds to be collected and invested in renewable energy as intended;
  • Create a long term renewable resource procurement plan to grow and stabilize renewable energy investment; and
  • Increase the RPS renewable energy generation goal to 35% by 2030.

Distributed Generation

  • Require open access to the grid for distributed generation systems;
  • Ensure net-metering policies credit customers for excess renewable energy that is directed back to the grid;
  • Prioritize investment of RPS funds to support community solar and photovoltaic (PV) projects that benefit low-income communities;
  • Encourage development of PV projects on brownfield sites; and
  • Allow on-bill credit for community solar subscribers.

Energy Efficiency

  • Increase Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) cumulative annual reduction goal to 20% by 2025;
  • Dedicate 12.5% of all EEPS funds for low income programs;
  • Optimize voltage for efficient distribution of electricity;
  • Assure energy efficiency portfolio management is robust and meets targets; and
  • Protect EEPS from state budget sweeps and delays.

Jobs

  • Encourage solar industry growth and investment in Illinois;
  • Create at least 400 new (full-time equivalent) jobs in clean energy; and
  • Optimize job creation in clean energy throughout Illinois through both energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

Infrastructure Investment and Resilience

  • Invest up to $300 million in new micro-grid pilot projects for critical infrastructure in the Com Ed territory to build resiliency into the grid and protect public safety; and
  • Invest up to $100 million in energy storage through as many as 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations located in public areas, at workplaces and low-income communities.

Ratepayer Considerations

  • Restructure electric rates to a kW peak demand system to assure equitable access to clean energy and reduce variability in demand;
  • Invest $10 million annually for 5 years in the Com Ed territory to support low-income energy programs; and
  • Assure municipal utility revenues are stable.