What's New

New Utility Energy Efficiency Standards Take Effect

Last year, Environment Illinois led a coalition to pass a new law requiring Illinois electric utilities to meet some of the nation’s toughest energy efficiency standards. Under the new law, beginning in 2008, our utilities will begin to 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. This year, we are 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 addition, Environment Illinois is championing the passage of residential energy efficient building code legislation in Illinois. Illinois is one of only ten states without statewide minimum standards for energy efficiency in residential construction. A recent study commissioned by the Department of Energy estimates that through updating to the latest International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standards, Illinois families could save up to $472 per year in utility bills in new housing. Meanwhile, by 2020, Illinois would save an estimated 12.8 million tons CO2 just from decreased power generation.  

The Illinois Energy Efficient Building Act (HB 1842/SB 526) provides updated statewide residential energy efficient building codes while allowing some municipalities to keep existing codes in place. This legislation would significantly increase the energy efficiency of new residential buildings in Illinois, reduce the strain placed on our power plants, reduce pollution, and reduce the cost of owning a home.

Environment Illinois fought hard for the Energy Efficient Building Act in 2008 and won passage of this legisation by a 55-0 margin in the Senate and a 109-5 margin in the House.  Unfortunately, and despite the best efforts of the bill sponsors (Representative Julie Hamos, D-Evanston, and Senator John Cullteron, D-Chicago) Illinois House and Senate leadership were never came to agreement on a unified version of this legislation and this bill did not become law during the 2008 legislative session.  Environment Illinois will work hard during veto session and any special session that arises to resolve any differences and have the Energy Efficient Building Act passed into law before 2009.