Update: The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act did not get passed in the Spring Session. But comprehensive energy legislation is urgently needed in Illinois, and we will continue to work to pass key consumer protections. Thank you to everyone who took action.
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) supports the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (Senate Bill 40). This comprehensive energy legislation contains important protections to contain costs for electric customers while managing unprecedented energy demand. (Please send a message to Springfield to get the CRGA Act over the finish line.)
The June 1 spike in electric capacity prices, which threatens to raise bills by more than $100 this summer, highlights the cost of doing nothing. Illinois urgently needs to pass comprehensive reform legislation.
Challenge: Consumers Need More Tools to Reduce their Utility Bills
Too many consumers lack easy access to programs that will help them cut costs. The CRGA Act would…
- Give regulators more explicit authority to protect solar customers from misleading marketing and fraud.
- Create smart, optional “time of use” electric rate choices for customers.
- Do away with the last vestige of formula rates for utilities.
- Bolster the state’s energy efficiency programs.
Challenge: Protect Illinois Consumers from Price Spikes
As demand for electricity grows, battery storage will be important to keeping energy prices down. Batteries are a cost-effective solution because they can store low-cost solar and wind energy for use during times when market prices are high. The CRGA Act would…
- Have the state of Illinois develop an energy storage procurement plan under which the Illinois Power Agency will be able to procure cost-effective storage for Illinoisans.
- Launch a “virtual power plant” initiative to pool thousands of small solar and storage projects to replace more expensive forms of electricity generation.
Bring the benefits of battery storage to income-eligible households, nonprofit organizations, and public facilities.
Challenge: Cost-effectively Manage the Transition to Clean Energy
The market is choosing cleaner forms of energy over fossil fuels, but we have to manage that transition through smart, cost-effective transmission and infrastructure policies that protect consumers from high utility bills. The CRGA Act would…
- Give our state the tools to improve transmission planning and leverage advanced transmission technologies to ensure that investments are cost-effective.
- Give state regulators the authority to implement integrated resource planning to evaluate and assess resource adequacy and right-size Illinois’ clean energy procurement targets to meet the state’s energy needs.
