Energy (Oil & Gas)

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In a provision regarding prohibited acts, provides that no person shall operate a commercial wind energy facility in a manner that causes, threatens, or allows the release of oil, lubricant, hydraulic fluid, transformer solvent, insulation fluid, cleaning fluid, or any other similar fluid from the commercial wind energy facility. Requires any fluid released in violation of this prohibition to be remediated. Provides that any person who violates this prohibition shall, for each day of violation, be liable for a civil penalty of $1,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for a second or subsequent offense. Provides for a 100% reduction in penalty for a person who self-discloses noncompliance with this provision. Directs the owner or operator of a commercial wind energy facility to annually register with the Agency in the form and manner prescribed by the Agency. Specifies that the owners and operators of a commercial wind energy facility have an affirmative duty to cover all remediation and response expenses that are incurred as a result of the operation of a commercial wind energy facility in a manner that causes, threatens, or allows the release of oil, lubricant, hydraulic fluid, transformer solvent, insulation fluid, cleaning fluid, or any other similar fluid. Grants the Agency rulemaking powers.

Amends the Energy Transition Act. Adds electrification industries to clean energy jobs. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a gas utility may cease providing service if the Illinois Commerce Commission determines that adequate substitute service is available at a reasonable cost to support the existing end uses of the affected utility customers. Provides for cost-effective energy efficiency measures for natural gas utilities that supersede existing provisions concerning natural gas energy efficiency programs and take effect beginning January 1, 2025. Provides that gas main and gas service extension policies shall be based on the principle that the full incremental cost associated with new development and growth shall be borne by the customers that cause those incremental costs. Provides that, no later than 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Commission shall initiate a docketed rulemaking reviewing each gas public utility tariff that provides for gas main and gas service extensions without additional charge to new customers in excess of the default extensions as specified in administrative rule. Adds the Clean Building Heating Law Article to the Act, with provisions concerning emissions standards for heating in buildings, as well as related and other provisions. Adds the 2050 Heat Decarbonization Standard Article to the Act, with provisions concerning options for compliance, measures for customer emission reduction, customer emission reductions, tradable clean heat credits, banking of emission reductions, equity in emission reductions, enforcement, the 2050 Heat Decarbonization Pathways Study, gas infrastructure planning, a study on gas utility financial incentive reform, and reporting requirements. Adds the Statewide Navigator Program Law Article to the Act, with provisions concerning creation of a statewide navigator program, as well as related and other provisions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Utilizing Illinois Energy Resources Task Force Act. Creates the Utilizing Illinois Energy Resources Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall study methods the State can use to support and expand the use of natural resources in this State, including, coal, crude oil, and natural gas. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Director of Natural Resources may retain the services of outside parties with legal, engineering, and financial expertise to assist the Task Force in carrying out its duties. Provides that the Task Force members are not eligible to receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses. Provides that the Task Force shall file a report no later than December 31, 2026 with the General Assembly on all issues deemed appropriate by the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall be abolished upon filing its report with the General Assembly. Repeals the Act on June 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Renewable Energy Facilities Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. In a provision regarding agricultural impact mitigation agreements, provides that an agricultural impact mitigation agreement for a commercial energy facility shall include a provision for the prevention and remediation of soil and water contamination from the release of oil, lubricant, hydraulic fluid, transformer solvent, insulation fluid, cleaning fluid, or any other similar fluid.