December 20, 2024
Springfield, IL – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has issued final grid plan orders for Ameren Company (Ameren) and Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), taking a significant step toward a more modern, clean, equitable, and affordable energy grid in Illinois. The Commission’s orders adopt key recommendations from a coalition of Joint Non-Governmental Organizations (JNGOs), including ELPC, which aimed to ensure that the grid plans align with the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
The ICC’s orders prioritize grid upgrades that will enable greater usage of local, distributed energy resources like rooftop solar and battery storage. These improvements will lead to lower costs for consumers, greater reliability, and progress toward Illinois’ climate goals under CEJA. The final order also incorporates the JNGO coalition’s suggestions on reframing how the utilities assess cost-effectiveness, affordability, and data access.
In line with CEJA, both ComEd and Ameren will also work closely with the JNGOs to analyze the equity and reliability of the utilities’ grid investments. This will include refining methodologies used to analyze cost, incorporating tools like regression analysis, and developing metrics to track progress. The ICC will also require Ameren to address historical disparities and improve service reliability in underrepresented communities.
“This milestone order lays the foundation for essential grid investments that will accelerate the clean energy transition and enhance reliability while cutting unnecessary costs,” said Brad Klein, Managing Attorney for the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We appreciate the ICC’s leadership and the utilities’ partnerships in crafting plans that will benefit all customers, not just shareholders.”
“The ICC’s approval of the ComEd and Ameren grid plans marks a significant milestone in the transition to a modern, equitable, and clean energy future as envisioned by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA),” said Vote Solar’s Midwest Senior Regulatory Director, Will Kenworthy. “These plans, with modifications, set the foundation for a smarter, more resilient grid that supports the integration of distributed energy resources, improves reliability, and ensures benefits are equitably distributed across all communities.”
“We thank the Illinois Commerce Commission for its continued focus on the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act’s requirement that utilities support efforts to bring at least 40 percent of grid investment benefits to environmental justice communities,” said James Gignac, Midwest Senior Policy Manager for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Today’s order affirms the progress Ameren and ComEd have made to further develop metrics and tracking mechanisms based on the framework recommended by our expert witnesses and Commission staff.”
“The bold leadership exhibited by the Commission in its 2023 Grid Plan Orders resulted in big progress this year,” said Curt Stokes, Senior Attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund. “Most importantly, utilities must collect the data needed to track progress in achieving Illinois’ climate and equity goals. The orders issued today contain firm commitments to improve affordability and transparency, helping Illinois progress toward its clean energy commitments.”
Key recommendations from a coalition of Joint Non-Governmental Organizations (JNGOs) – including Vote Solar, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Natural Resources Defense Council – were critical in shaping these orders.