By Robert Duffer, Chicago Tribune

Support in the Illinois legislature is slowly growing for a proposal that backers say will save ratepayers millions while freeing up state renewable energy funds currently sitting unspent.

But the proposed bill faces an uphill political battle because of oppositionfrom ComEd’s parent company Exelon, whose nuclear fleet could face competition and depressed power prices with more wind power on the market.

Illinois energy experts have for months been calling for reforms to the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The massive shift away from utilities to community aggregation and alternative electricity suppliers has exacerbated a quirk in the law that now means customers are paying millions of dollars into a fund for renewable energy that is languishing untapped.

Meanwhile, the state risks failing to meet mandatory benchmarks in the RPS; and even the renewable power that is being bought for Illinois customers is largely through short-term contracts for renewable energy credits that could come from wind farms in Texas or other states.

How the current law works

The Illinois utilities Ameren and ComEd and the alternative suppliers that now serve the majority of Illinois customers all channel a small fraction of customer payments toward renewable energy. These funds go into separate “buckets,” as energy experts describe it.

The Illinois Power Agency decides where ComEd and Ameren get their power and how they meet their obligations under the RPS, including through buying renewable credits.

Alternative suppliers purchase renewable energy credits and also pay into an Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) fund to meet their RPS mandates. The fund currently has $15 million and is expected to mushroom to as much as $130 million in the next 18 months.

However, according to the language of existing law, that money cannot actually be used to buy power or renewable energy credits any time soon.

That’s because the law says the ACP money can only be used when the Illinois Power Agency is buying renewable energy or credits on behalf of ComEd and Ameren. But since ComEd’s and Ameren’s customer bases have shrunk so drastically due to aggregation, they have already purchased more than enough renewable energy to meet their RPS requirements.

Meanwhile, the fund can be swept by the state for other budgetary needs, a move experts say is likely given the state’s budget crunch.

Adding an additional wrinkle, the renewable energy charge paid by alternative supplier customers is pegged to the amount paid by ComEd and Ameren customers. And that charge is at the highest level allowed by law, because the utilities are struggling to recoup costs since aggregation slashed their customer base.

“A lot of the math that goes into estimating the cost of compliance isn’t connected to the market at all – it is based on this formula and the formula is wrong,” said Mark Pruitt, an energy consultant who formerly headed the Illinois Power Agency.

Pruitt did an analysis predicting that the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 103, would save Illinois ratepayers with alternative suppliers up to $280 million between 2014 and 2017, compared to the situation if the RPS is not “fixed.” Illinois Commerce Commission executive director Jonathan Feipel said the commission agrees with those findings.

The proposed fix

The bill would abolish the ACP fund and the “separate buckets” for renewable energy monies. Instead, it would allow the Illinois Power Agency to purchase renewable energy on behalf of all Illinois customers, regardless of whether they are with utilities or alternative suppliers.

The legislation would move the renewable energy charge from the generation side of the bill to the distribution side, streamlining things since all energy is delivered by the utilities regardless of who generates and procures it.

Pruitt noted that “that’s how energy efficiency is funded, that’s how the smart grid is funded, that’s how a lot of other types of policy initiatives in the state are funded – it’s not like it’s a foreign concept.”

Currently, alternative suppliers are only willing to enter short-term contracts with power providers, because they don’t know how long their customers will stick with them. Even though scores of communities have chosen aggregation with alternative suppliers in the past few years, many of those customers may go back to ComEd and Ameren in the future.

If the RPS fix bill passes, the Illinois Power Agency could confidently negotiate long-term contracts with renewable power producers, because it would not matter if customers were with the utilities or with the alternative suppliers – all Illinois customers would channel dollars for renewable energy into the same “bucket.”

“With all that churn you need to have more stability in the renewables market,” said Environmental Law and Policy Center co-legislative policy director Barry Matchett. “We’re trying to get the market back to the position where there is greater stability and less risk. If we’re able to get a more stable funding stream for renewables, it will result in a lower price for renewable compliance.”

Feipel said that in the current situation, it is as if the Illinois Power Agency’s “tool” for complying with the renewable portfolio standard is “a hammer split in half” – since the renewable energy funds are separated into different buckets, one of them essentially inaccessible.

“The current split system does cause problems,” Feipel said. “There’s no certainty. If you merge it all together and make it a single program, the power agency can do its job, and it helps meet the (RPS) mandate.”

Exelon: ‘The law is working as intended’

The senate bill passed the energy committee in March and currently has 12 co-sponsors. Governor Pat Quinn supports the legislation, with spokesman Grant Kinzman saying; “This is a common sense solution that will deliver lower energy prices for consumers and businesses; protect the environment; and drive more economic development and new jobs across Illinois.”

Clean energy proponents blame Exelon for the reluctance of many state lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Madigan, to embrace an RPS fix. Exelon has been actively working to block renewable energy and natural gas development, because cheap electricity from these facilities are a threat to the company’s bottom line (a recent analysis by the Illinois Power Agency found that wind power drove down power prices by nearly $177 million in both 2011 and 2012).

An April study by the Better Government Association noted the company’s extensive lobbying muscle and political connections. People involved with the bill said negotiations involving Exelon representatives and other parties are ongoing, and the bill may change to reflect various interests.

Exelon spokesman Paul Adams offered this statement: “Exelon is a strong proponent of clean energy and supported the law that established the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard in 2007. The law is working as intended and, as a result, Illinois utilities and alternative retail energy suppliers are in full compliance, and the state’s wind energy industry is thriving.

“Since the RPS was established, Illinois has seen wind energy development accelerate and the state now ranks fourth for overall installed capacity in the U.S. Proposals to change the law are a solution in search of a problem.”

A ComEd spokesman referred questions about the bill to Exelon.

‘Obviously something has to change’

On May 15, the Clean Energy Trust and Advanced Energy Economy released a Zogby poll of 700 likely Illinois voters showing very strong support for renewable energy and for a fix to the RPS. More than 86 percent of respondents said it is important that Illinois “continue to get an increasing amount of its energy from secure and clean power sources,” according to the poll. And 77 percent supported legislation fixing the RPS, while only 8 percent opposed it.

It is unlikely respondents fully understood the extremely complicated components of the RPS dilemma or the fix. But advocates of the bill say public support for renewable energy in the state is clear, and the senate bill is a crucial starting point for ongoing efforts and negotiations.

Even if the bill passes, there is no guarantee contracts will be signed for actual new wind farms or other clean energy sources in Illinois. The RPS mandate could still be met with the purchase of credits, and there is also no guarantee the state would actually fulfill the RPS.

But Pruitt said, “It would definitely have a fighting chance to meet the goals. Right now we’re pretty much frozen.”

“It’s fairly obvious the current system is not delivering the way it’s supposed to be delivering,” Pruitt continued. “Obviously something has to change. If we’re going to change we might as well get to the point where we’re not only actually fulfilling the policy but reducing the cost of compliance.”

Available online at http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2013/05/20/fix-for-illinois-renewable-energy-law-faces-opposition-from-utilities/

May 20, 2013, 10:44 a.m.

By Robert Duffer, Chicago Tribune

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) seeks to hire a new Media Relations Manager to focus on generating positive media coverage for ELPC’s advocacy program initiatives and building overall media recognition, visibility and presence for, and social media engagement with, our public interest environmental organization.  ELPC is headquartered in Chicago with seven offices in the Midwest and Washington, D.C.  This full-time position reports to the Director of Communications.

ORGANIZATION: ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 45 talented public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, policy advocates, and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. ELPC’s headquarters is in Chicago, along with offices in Columbus, OH, Des Moines, IA, Jamestown, ND, Madison, WI, St. Paul, MN, Sioux Falls, SD and Washington D.C.  ELPC has an annual budget of $6.5 million. Please see www.elpc.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Media Relations Manager will work with ELPC’s Director of Communications and Marketing and current Media Relations Manager, public interest attorneys and policy advocates to:  increase positive media coverage for ELPC’s advocacy programs; build media recognition, visibility and organizational presence for ELPC; use social media, websites and other public outreach to build support for advocacy programs; help craft effective public messages and strategies for ELPC’s advocacy; and participate as a member of  multidisciplinary project teams.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred. Candidates should have at least five years of experience in strategic communications with a track record of successful media work.  The candidate should possess very strong writing skills and be web proficient. Interest and commitment to environmental quality improvement and policy knowledge in at least one of the following fields: energy, climate change, economics, transportation, land use and natural resources.  Web design, graphic design and photography skills are a plus. The Media Relations Manager should also understand and enjoy multifaceted strategic public policy advocacy that involves effective legal advocacy coordinated with effective media, legislation, policy analysis and organizing approaches.

SALARY:  Commensurate with experience and with ELPC’s salary structure that is competitive with other major public interest environmental organizations. Excellent benefits provided.

APPLICATION: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, two professional references, salary history and writing sample to: MediaRelationsPosition@ELPC.org. Telephone inquiries are discouraged. ELPC is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.

ORGANIZATION:  ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders.  We develop and lead successful strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 45 talented public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, policy advocates and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities.  ELPC’s offices are in Chicago (HQ), six other Midwest cities and Washington D.C.

RESPONSIBILITIES:   Analysis and advocacy of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, development of climate change solutions and of economic, job creation and environmental impacts of state and federal energy policies.  Engagement on ELPC’s Great Lakes protection and sustainable business policy initiatives.  Presentations in public decisionmaking forums and expert testimony.  The position includes a wide range of responsibilities including economic growth analysis, drafting and publishing reports, and submitting expert testimony in administrative proceedings and before legislative forums.  Participation in stakeholder working groups and other public policy advocacy efforts, teaming with multidisciplinary ELPC Energy Project and Clean Water project teams.

QUALIFICATIONS: M.P.P. (quantitative), M.B.A. or Masters in Economics, and policy-technical knowledge in the energy and sustainable business fields.  At least five years of post-graduate experience preferred.  Strong background in policy, financial and economic analysis.  Substantive knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency policy, and energy economics. Strong academic record and excellent speaking, writing, and analytical skills. Able to be effective in multiparty coalitions and stakeholder processes. An inspired commitment to public interest advocacy and ability to work productively as a member of a team of skilled professionals.  Please see www.elpc.org

SALARY:  Commensurate with experience and with ELPC’s salary structure that is competitive with other large public interest environmental organizations.  Excellent benefits provided.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Applicants should send a cover letter, resume and professional references to:  CleanEnergyPolicy@elpc.org  Telephone inquiries discouraged.  The Environmental Law & Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.

ORGANIZATION: ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead successful strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 45 talented public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, policy advocates and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. ELPC’s offices are in Chicago (HQ), six other Midwest cities and Washington D.C.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Analysis and advocacy of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, development of climate change solutions and of economic, job creation, business and environmental impacts of state and federal energy policies. Presentations in public decisionmaking forums and expert testimony. The position includes a wide range of responsibilities including financial and economic growth analysis, drafting and publishing reports, and submitting expert testimony in administrative proceedings and before legislative forums. Participation in stakeholder working groups and other public policy advocacy efforts, teaming with multidisciplinary ELPC Energy Project team including public interest attorneys, policy advocates, M.B.A.s, communications specialists, and organizers.

QUALIFICATIONS: M.B.A., Masters in Economics or M.P.P. (quantitative), and policy-technical knowledge in the energy field. At least three years of post-graduate experience preferred. Strong background in financial and economic analysis. Substantive knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency policy, and energy economics. Strong academic record and excellent speaking, writing, and analytical skills. Able to be effective in multi-party stakeholder processes. An inspired commitment to public interest advocacy and ability to work productively as a member of a team of skilled professionals.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience and with ELPC’s salary structure that is competitive with other large public interest environmental organizations. Excellent benefits provided.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume and professional references to: CleanEnergyFinance@elpc.org Telephone inquiries discouraged. The Environmental Law & Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.

ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead successful strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 46 talented public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, policy advocates and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. ELPC’s headquarters is in Chicago with additional offices and professional staff in Columbus, OH, Des Moines, IA, Jamestown, ND, Madison, WI, St. Paul, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, and Washington D.C.  ELPC has an annual budget of $6.5 million and started in 1993.  See www.elpc.org andwww.highspeedrailworks.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  The ELPC Transportation Policy Advocate will work with ELPC’s senior staff team and ELPC’s Federal Legislative Director to promote sustainable transportation policies and projects through reauthorization of the federal surface transportation and rail authorizations, appropriations and other opportunities.  Responsibilities include advocacy and education with Congressional offices and the Administration, policy research and development, advocacy and outreach in support of a Midwest High-Speed Rail Network and other transportation priorities, and relations with ELPC’s coalition partners. In addition, this ELPC policy advocate will work on other targeted federal issues and opportunities that emerge as ELPC priorities.  This position requires occasional travel to Chicago and other Midwest cities.

QUALIFICATIONS:  At least five years of professional experience with federal policy advocacy and analysis. Understand and enjoy multifaceted strategic advocacy that involves coordinated legislative advocacy, policy analysis, media and organizing actions. Hill experience on transportation issues highly desirable.  Excellent persuasive abilities and oral and written communications skills, analytic abilities and strong interest in public interest and environmental advocacy. An inspired and demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy and the ability to work productively as a member of a team of skilled professionals is required.  Advanced degree preferred.

SALARY:  Commensurate with experience and with ELPC’s salary structure that is competitive with other large public interest environmental organizations.  Excellent benefits provided.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Please send a cover letter, resume and three professional references to ELPC Deputy Director Kevin Brubaker at TranspoAdvocate@elpc.org Telephone inquiries are discouraged.  The Environmental Law and Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.

ORGANIZATION:  ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization, and among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead successful strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 46 talented public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, policy advocates and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. ELPC’s headquarters is in Chicago, along with six additional offices in Midwest and Washington D.C. ELPC started in 1993 and has a $6.5 million annual budget. Please seewww.elpc.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES:   Work with ELPC’s senior staff on sustainability projects involving clean energy development, innovative transportation strategies and natural resources preservation.  Economic analysis of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, and of job creation and economic growth from forward-looking federal and state environmental policies.  Engage with ELPC multidisciplinary project teams of public interest attorneys, policy advocates, communications specialists and scientists.

QUALIFICATIONS:  M.B.A. students with at least three years of prior professional experience preferably in finance, sustainability, environmental or energy sectors.  Strong academic record and excellent analytical, presentation and writing skills.  Strong background in financial and economic analysis. Smart self-starter with track record of initiative and success.  Substantive knowledge of clean energy policy and technologies, and energy economics is valued.  An inspired commitment to sustainability principles and an ability to work productively with a team of skilled professionals.

SALARY:  $5,000 for the 10-week internship program, starting in June 2013.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Interested M.B.A. student applicants should send a cover letter, resume and three professional references by email to Becca Brown at: KubertBusinessInternship@elpc.org.   The Environmental Law and Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.

Charlie Kubert was a businessperson and dedicated environmentalist who worked at ELPC on sustainability business opportunities to advance environmental progress and economic growth.

About ELPC: The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization. We develop and lead successful strategic environmental advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural heritage. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business deal making with diverse interests to put into practice our belief that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of talented and experienced public interest attorneys, environmental business specialists, public policy advocates, and communications specialists brings a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our Midwestern communities.

Responsibilities: Our summer law student interns work with ELPC attorneys and other professional staff on ELPC policy, legislative and general advocacy issues, and on federal and state court litigation. Job activities may include legal and legislative research, litigation and pre-litigation support, developing case strategies, legislative drafting, clean energy business development, grass roots advocacy work, and special projects. Interns also may attend meetings with state and federal agencies, legislators and concerned citizens, and participate in depositions and other litigation activities. Our interns assume a significant level of responsibility commensurate with their interests and abilities.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a strong academic record, excellent writing and analytical skills, and a demonstrated interest in and commitment to public interest and environmental advocacy. ELPC is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff. Although interns receive a stipend, ELPC encourages interns to obtain additional funding from law school public interest fellowships and other outside sources.

Application Process: Interested law students should send a cover letter and resume via email to Erin Morse or Colleen Belak at LawInternships@elpc.org. ELPC also accepts applications through the Chicago-based Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI). Please review PILI’s application requirements atwww.pili-law.org. The Summer 2013 class has been filled. ELPC is accepting applicants for Summer 2014 on a rolling basis.

INTERNSHIPS: SCIENCE & POLICY

The Environmental Law & Policy Center offers several policy and science internships for undergraduate and graduate students.  Environmental Policy and Science Internships are available throughout the year and are open to undergraduate and graduate students studying politics/government, environmental sciences, business/economics or related fields.  Applicants should have a strong academic record, excellent writing and analytical skills, and a demonstrated interest in and commitment to public interest and environmental advocacy.

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Policy and Science Interns assist ELPC’s Senior Policy Advocates, Policy Associates, Communications Staff and Economists/Financial Analysts with a variety of tasks, including: work on clean energy projects across the Midwest and Great Plains, clean energy business development, promoting environmentally sustainable transportation policies and projects, preserving our natural resources and protecting our national forests, advancing global warming solutions, grass roots advocacy work, and special projects. Interns may also attend meetings with state and federal agencies, legislators, and concerned citizens.

Job tasks include: researching energy and environmental topics; preparing memos, summaries, and annotated bibliographies; researching organizations, companies, and individuals in key regions; researching and tracking events; reviewing reports and preparing summary memos; updating and managing Access databases; performing analysis of grant data for use by Congressional offices and others; and assisting with web site content and writing.

ELPC generally offers one fall, one spring, and three summer policy/science internships in the Chicago office with additional opportunities in our Madison, Wisconsin; Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Jamestown, North Dakota offices.  This is an unpaid, volunteer position requiring a minimum of 15 hours per week.  ELPC encourages students to seek outside funding and fellowships.

To apply for Chicago office internships, please submit a cover letter, resume and list of references via email to Sarah Wochos at policyinternships@elpc.org.  Applications are accepted on the below timeline.  Only applications received during these times will be considered.

Fall: July 1-July 31

Spring: Nov 1-Nov 30

Summer: Feb 15-Mar 15

To apply for Des Moines, Madison, Sioux Falls or Jamestown office internships, please contact the appropriate staff member for each office, as listed below. Applications are accepted on a rolling schedule.

Des Moines: Steve Falck sfalck@elpc.org
Madison: Andy Olsen aolsen@elpc.org
Sioux Falls: Matt McLarty mmclarty@elpc.org
Jamestown: Mindi Grieve mgrieve@elpc.org

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The Environmental Law & Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and is continually seeking to diversify its staff.