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.
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 $466 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 (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. And to encourage the use of solar energy, this provision disallows residential deed restrictions prohibiting the use of a solar energy panels or devices, such as photovoltaic solar panels, for Illinois residences.
