New Law Will Increase Renewable Energy, Promote Solar Power in Illinois

August 10, 2009

Illinois can look forward to a cleaner energy future thanks to a bill signed into law by Governor Quinn on Sunday. Senate Bill 2150 increases the number of utility companies who will meet renewable energy goals and creates specific goals for solar energy in Illinois.

“Renewable energy is creating jobs and income in Illinois while protecting public health and our environment for future generations,” said Barry Machett, Co-Legislative Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “This bill brings more companies on board to develop the clean energy of the future and ensures we will have a diverse, sustainable supply of energy to meet our state’s needs.”

SB 2150, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon, creates a path for alternative retail electric suppliers to meet Illinois’ Renewable Electricity Standard that will have Illinois generating 25% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Alternative retail electric suppliers sell energy to industrial and commercial customers, and make up more than 50% of the electricity sold in Illinois. Investor-owned utilities and others already adhere to the Renewable Electricity Standard.

The bill also requires 6% of the renewable energy purchased each year to be solar-generated. This provision takes effect in 2015 and will benefit the solar manufacturing and installation companies and ensure that Illinois has diverse sources of energy.