ICC produces first edition of plan setting clean energy goals

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Commerce Commission has adopted its first action plan to help the state achieve its goal of clean energy systems.

The ICC’s Renewable Energy Access Plan, adopted late last month, clarifies several requirements and sets a timeframe for policy goals.

REAP is part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, a bill aimed at eliminating the nation’s carbon footprint. The ICC gives important structure to the CEJA regulations.

“This first REAP paves the way to help Illinois achieve its decarbonization goals by 2050.” – said ICC chairman Doug Scott. “REAP will be an important resource for regulators, policymakers (regional transmission organizations) and other stakeholders as we continue to advance Illinois’ energy transition, all while ensuring affordability and ensuring the resiliency and reliability of our grid.”

REAP has five goals:

• Help the country track progress towards clean energy
• Find the investment to transition to 100% clean electricity
• Manage land use including the implementation of renewable energy sources
• Develop a strategy for leveraging your existing infrastructure and start planning for the future
• Take advantage of regional electricity markets and trade

“I commend the staff and parties involved for working over several years to develop the first REAP for Illinois,” said ICC Commissioner Ann McCabe. “The plan will enable ICC to focus on near-term clean energy solutions, such as demand response and grid improvement technologies to better increase reliability and lower energy costs for consumers, and support transmission planning reforms to accelerate the future development of renewable energy across “Illinois”

The ICC’s mandate is to update REAP next year and every two years thereafter.

The full final plan order can be found here.