New Utility Energy Efficiency Standards Take Effect

In 2007, Environment Illinois helped lead a coalition to pass a new law requiring Illinois electric utilities to meet some of the nation’s toughest energy efficiency standards. Pursuant to this legislation, our electric utilities now offer programs to help their customers save energy -- and by 2015, they must be able to meet 2% of their customers’ energy needs with energy efficiency rather than by selling more electricity. This program is projected to save Illinoisans more than $2 billion a year on energy costs. Environment Illinois is participating in a formal stakeholder process to make sure that the utilities are meeting these stringent standards with cost-effective, consumer-friendly programs.

To learn more about how you can save money and help save the environment through taking advantage of these programs, visit the Environment Illinois Energy Efficiency Headquarters.        

Energy Efficiency in New Home Construction

In 2009, Environment Illinois helped champion the passage of residential energy efficient building code legislation in Illinois. Illinois was one of only ten states without statewide minimum standards for energy efficiency in residential construction. A recent study commissioned by the Department of Energy estimated that through updating to the latest International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standards, Illinois families would save up to $472 per year in utility bills in new housing. Meanwhile, by 2020, Illinois will now save an estimated 12.8 million tons CO2 just from decreased power generation.  

The Illinois Energy Efficient Building Act provided updated statewide minimum residential energy efficient building codes while allowing many municipalities to go beyond the statewide minimum in their requirements.  Importantly, under the bill, Illinois's code now automatically updates when a new model code is released.  This legislation significantly increases the energy efficiency of new residential buildings in Illinois, reduces the strain placed on our power plants, reduce pollution, and reduces the cost of owning a home. 

Environment Illinois thanks sponsors Rep. Julie Hamos and Sen. Don Harmon for helping the Energy Efficient Building Act become state law in 2009. 

Energy Efficiency for Natural Gas Utilities

Under legislation passed in 2007, Illinois electric utilities must meet 2% of annual demand through efficiency by 2015.  And in 2009, Environment Illinois led a successful fight for similar standards to apply to our state's natural gas utilities.

Passed on the last day of the 2009 ILGA session, Senate Bill 1918 requires Illinois natural gas utilities to meet up to 1.5% of annual demand through increased energy efficiency by 2019.  An analysis by Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance shows that this legislation will save Illinois ratepayers over $10 billion in energy costs by 2030 -- and cut expected CO₂ pollution by over 50 million metric tons.

The bill was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn in July of 2009.  Under the law, Illinois natural gas utilities will be required to submit 3-year energy efficiency program plans to the Illinois Commerce Commission by October 2010.  By the summer of 2011, Illinois families and business will be able to take advantage of these programs.