Victories for energy reform in Springfield

Wins also include key building efficiency bills

Despite Illinois state government once again being hamstrung by massive deficits and gruesome budget battles, Environment
Illinois still won the fight for key energy efficiency measures in 2009. Among them was a large, Environment Illinois-negotiated energy reform package that calls for natural gas utilities to begin reducing demand for more fuel through energy-efficiency programs, rather than simply going out and getting more supply.

By 2019, Illinois natural gas utilities will be expected to meet 1.5 percent of their annual energy demand through efficiency measures—a stronger requirement than that of the American Clean Energy and Security Act currently before Congress. According to an analysis by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, these efficiency programs have the potential to prevent the emission of more than 50 million metric tons of CO2 in Illinois by 2030.

This landmark legislation—second only to California in breadth—is projected to eventually save Illinoisans more than $2 billion a year on energy costs.    

The energy bill passed the Illinois General Assembly on May 31—the session’s last day—and Gov. Pat Quinn signed it into
law July 10. The bill also includes a bold new on-bill financing program that will allow Illinois residents to finance energy
efficiency upgrades through payments on their utility bills.
On May 31, lawmakers also passed the Energy Efficient Building Act, which will bring the latest national model code standards for energy efficiency to new Illinois homes.

“From the time we first proposed this legislation years ago until today, awareness of the value of energy efficiency has grown
significantly,” said State Rep. Julie Hamos, sponsor of this legislation. “People across all sectors of the economy now recognize why this is such an important step to take.”

The month of May also saw passage of the Green Buildings Act, which requires thatall new state-funded building construction
and renovations of state-owned facilities meet green building practice standards. “Not only will these results help save our
environment, they will save consumers money on energy costs and spur economic growth when our state needs it most,” said Environment Illinois Staff Attorney Brian Granahan.