Report
July 27, 2022
Illinois Renewable Energy Access Plan
Prepared for the Illinois Commerce Commission
In the 2021 Illinois Public Act 102-0662, colloquially referred to as the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Illinois has solidified its commitment to achieving a 100% clean energy economy by 2050. The law specifies a number of policies and programs for ensuring that the clean energy transition will proceed equitably, reliably, and affordably. Several interim goals further stipulate deadlines for reshaping the electricity mix and power grid serving Illinois consumers, including:
- A 50% by 2040 renewable portfolio standard (RPS) applicable to the approximately 85% of Illinois electricity demand served by the electric distribution utilities Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), Ameren Illinois (Ameren), and the portion of MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC or MidAmerican) for which procurements are conducted by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA). Qualification standards for the RPS require the resources to be located within Illinois or in states adjacent to Illinois if such facility or facilities will help promote the State’s interest in the health, safety, and welfare of Illinois residents based on public interest criteria;
- A 100% by 2050 clean electricity goal for Illinois, considering both renewable and nuclear power as contributing resource types; and
- A requirement to phase out fossil fuel emissions by 2045, with electric generating units subject to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caps declining to zero between 2030- 2045, depending on resource characteristics.
