Energy

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Sets forth procedures for the processing of interconnection requests from applicants for distributed renewable generation projects on public school land. Provides that, for all net metering credits or other credits owed to a customer who has elected to install a distributed renewable generation project on public school land, all credits intended for the benefit of the consumer must be credited by the public utility or retail energy supplier within 90 days after the public utility or retail energy supplier determines that the criteria for the credit have been met. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall adopt revisions to its standards for the interconnection of eligible renewable generating equipment and net metering credit rules to conform with the requirements of the provisions of the amendatory Act. In provisions concerning customer self-generation of electricity, provides that, for distributed renewable generation projects on public school land, any fees for interconnection applications charged by the electric cooperative or municipal system must be substantially similar to the fees charged by public utilities for the interconnection of the same or similar projects and must not exceed 150% of the cost of the base interconnection fees of the other public utilities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning virtual power plant programs, provides that, in setting the values of upfront payment and performance payment compensation under the provisions, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall set values for eligible systems that include energy storage that are, taking into account the time value of money, not less than: (A) for an eligible system that did not receive and agrees not to apply for a rebate for its storage component under specified provisions, $250 per kilowatt-hour nameplate capacity paid on the date the system is placed in service; or (B) for an eligible system that received a rebate for its storage component under specified provisions, $0 per kilowatt-hour. In provisions concerning distributed generation and storage rebates, provides that, until the later of December 31, 2029 or the threshold date (rather than until December 31, 2029), the value of specified rebates shall be $300 per kilowatt of nameplate generating capacity, measured as nominal DC power output, of the distributed generation. Amends the Counties Code. In provisions concerning setback distances for commercial wind energy facilities or commercial solar energy facilities, specifies that the ability of a county to require a reasonable setback distance between fencing and public rights-of-way if the requirement is not specific to commercial wind energy facilities or commercial solar energy facilities and does not preclude the development of commercial wind energy facilities or commercial solar energy facilities or the ability of commercial wind energy facilities or commercial solar energy facilities to comply with the requirements set forth in the provisions shall not exceed 50 feet between fencing and public rights-of-way. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that a "community renewable generation project" means an electric generating facility that, among other things, is limited in nameplate capacity to less than or equal to 5,000 kilowatts (rather than 10,000 kilowatts). Makes other changes.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Defines "plug-in solar energy system". Provides that an electricity provider shall not require an eligible customer who uses, or intends to install and use, a plug-in solar energy system to do certain actions. Provides that an eligible customer may, but shall not be required to, conform the eligible customer's plug-in solar energy system to the interconnection requirements under provisions concerning net metering and any rules adopted pursuant to those provisions. Provides that a plug-in solar energy system that does not interconnect to the electrical system in a manner that is consistent with the applicable rules adopted by the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not be eligible for net electricity metering. Provides that a plug-in solar energy system shall not qualify for any distributed generation rebate. Provides that an electricity provider shall not be liable for any damage or injury caused by an eligible customer's plug-in solar energy system. Provides that homeowners' associations, common interest community associations, and condominium unit owners' associations shall not adopt or enforce any covenant, bylaw, regulation, or other rule that unreasonably restricts or prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, the installation or use of a plug-in solar energy system that has a maximum power output to a receptacle outlet of 391 watts or less. Provides that landlords shall not adopt or enforce any lease or contract that unreasonably restricts or prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, the installation or use of a plug-in solar energy system that has a maximum power output to a receptacle outlet of 391 watts or less.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning colocation of photovoltaic community renewable generation projects, changes references from "community renewable generation project" to "photovoltaic community renewable generation project" and "community solar projects" to "photovoltaic community renewable generation projects". Requires a project labor agreement for the new construction of certain facilities related to community-driven community solar projects. In a provision applying prevailing wage requirements to facilities for which a renewable energy credit delivery contract is signed, removes an exception for multi-family residential buildings with aggregate geothermal system tonnage, including colocated projects, of no more than 29 tons. Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall jointly develop activities to support the recruitment of eligible candidates to the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program. Provides that the activities shall include coordinating on sharing with community-based providers the contact information of persons preparing to be released into the community, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, if the person preparing to be released consents to the person's contact information being shared. Makes other changes.

Amends the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997. Extends the repeal of the Act until December 31, 2030. Effective immediately.

Amends the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997. Extends the repeal of the Act until December 31, 2030. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Changes the name of the Retail Electric Competition Article to the Retail and Renewable Electric Competition Article. Changes the name of the Retail Electric Competition Act of 2006 to the Retail and Renewable Electric Competition Act of 2006. Changes the name of the Office of Retail Market Development to the Office of Retail and Renewable Market Development and the title of the head of the Office from Director to Bureau Chief. Provides that the Bureau Chief shall have the authority to employ or otherwise retain at least 2 professionals dedicated to the task of actively seeking out ways to promote distributed renewable energy generation devices and community renewable generation projects in the State to benefit all State consumers. Provides that the Office shall actively seek input from all interested parties and shall develop a thorough understanding and critical analyses of the tools and techniques used to promote development and remove barriers to development of distributed renewable energy generation devices and community renewable generation projects. Provides that the Office shall take steps for interconnections involving distributed renewable energy resources, energy storage systems, utility-scale wind projects, and utility-scale solar projects, including interconnections to a distribution system or a transmission system. Provides that the Interconnection Working Group shall determine a single standardized cost for Level 1 interconnections, which shall not exceed $200. Provides that, in collaboration with the General Counsel of the Commission, the Office shall develop policies and procedures to facilitate employees of the Office in leading the Interconnection Working Group without interference with docketed proceedings. Provides that the Office may employ, designate, or otherwise retain the services of an Ombudsperson who is responsible for oversight of a utility's compliance with the certain rules and any other utility interconnection policies or procedures. Sets forth provisions concerning the authority of the Ombudsperson and interconnection monitoring by the Office. Makes conforming and other changes.