Illinois solar supporters:

 

Please consider filing public comments in support of the ICC’s proposed net metering amendments.  The public comment period closes on June 22^nd.   You do not need to become formal parties to the docket or retain an attorney in order to comment.  All public comments are acceptable.

 

Illinois Register notice: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/PublicComments.aspx?no=15-0273

• See page 6134 for proposed amendments to 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 465
• Time, Place and Manner in whhttp://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/PublicComments.aspx?no=15-0273ich interested persons may comment on this proposed rulemaking: Comments should be filed, by June 22nd, to Elizabeth Rolando, Chief Clerk Illinois Commerce Commission 527 East Capitol Avenue Springfield IL 62701 217/782-7434
  
• Please include docket number 15-0273 on all filed comments.
• Please let us know if you plan to file comments so that we can keep track.

The amendments cover the following issues:

• Updated and clarified eligibility and bill credit provisions to reflect current law.
• Requirement for competitive suppliers to post NEM application forms and procedures on their websites.
• Provision for electronic application processing.
• Improved notification procedures for NEM customers that are switching electricity providers and requirement that electric utilities provide interval data to enable accurate NEM billing by competitive suppliers.
• New language requiring utilities to individually consider “meter aggregation”/virtual net metering applications.

 

Here are some suggested talking points for comments:

• Describe who you are and your interest in clean energy issues in Illinois:
• • Solar business,
  • Clean energy advocate,
  • Concerned citizen, etc
•  Describe why you believe Illinois should support strong solar/renewable energy policies:
• • Good for jobs/economy,
  • Good for environment,
  • Good for the future of Illinois, etc
• Describe why net metering is important:
• • Core/fundamental policy to support distributed generation,
  • Simple/fair credit for DG
• Describe why you support these rules:
• • Clarifies and updates the rules and enhances transparency for the public and for clean energy businesses.
  • Helps facilitate information sharing and interval meter data between utilities and competitive suppliers so net metering customers can be billed accurately and do not fall through the cracks when they switch electric suppliers.  [465.50 subsections (j) and (k) and 465.55] [Consider sharing anecdote of your experience if applicable.]
  • New “meter aggregation” language at 465.90 provides important accountability for utilities to actually perform a full and fair “consideration” of meter aggregation (or “virtual net metering” / shared solar) proposals

§  Add some discussion of why you think community shared solar is good for Illinois,

§  Add discussion of the types of projects you may be considering or would consider if Illinois improved its policy in this area,

§  State why it is important for utilities to provide a case-by-case consideration and written determination in response to community shared solar / virtual net metering proposals.  

 

Written by Courtney Hanson (Midwest Outreach Coordinator, Union of Concerned Scientists)

The Union of Concerned Scientists has released an analysis showing that most states are already making significant progress toward cutting carbon emissions from power plants, and that can in turn help them meet their Clean Power Plan goals. The analysis shows that, through decisions already made such as the retirement of uneconomic coal plants, and compliance with existing renewable electricity standards and energy efficiency resource standards, many states all across the country are well positioned to reliably and affordably achieve the 2020 emissions reduction benchmarks. 31 states are on track to be more than halfway toward meeting the 2020 benchmarks set out by the EPA, and 14 of those states are on track to surpass those benchmarks.

 

Illinois findings:

• Illinois is on track to be 82 percent of the way towards meeting its 2020 benchmark because of its renewable electricity and energy efficiency standards and announced coal plant closures (we assume announced coal retirements occur and existing standards are met in all states).
• • The renewable portfolio standard requires utilities to produce 25 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2025.
  • The energy efficiency portfolio standard requires utilities to reduce energy demand by 2 percent each year compared to the previous year’s sales.
  • Eight coal generating units will retire between 2012 and 2020. These units generate 9,204 gigawatt-hours of electricity or 12 percent of the state’s coal-fired generation.

• Illinois, along with 22 other states, is leading the country, as these states have already taken steps to achieve more than 75 percent of their 2020 benchmarks.
• Illinois can meet its mandatory 2030 emissions reduction requirement a number of ways, including:
• • Creating a regional program that allows Midwest states to work together to reduce emissions. Illinois state regulators and utilities are considering this approach.
  • Strengthening the state’s renewable electricity and energy efficiency standards.  A recent UCS analysis found that requiring utilities to generate 35 of their electricity with renewable resources by 2030 and reduce energy consumption 20 percent by 2025 would reduce the typical residential customer’s electricity bill 11 percent, or $10 a month, in 2020 and 23 percent, or $22 a month, in 2030.

 

Please see UCS Senior Energy Analyst Jeremy Richardson’s blogpost with the key findings from the UCS analysis, and links to a table summarizing state progress toward the 2020 benchmarks and a slide deck (note that the 2020 benchmarks are NOT a mandatory target in the draft CPP). 

 

Additionally, see Senior Analyst Jeff Deyette’s blogpost highlighting the irony that many of the states suing the EPA over the Clean Power Plan are actually already taking steps that would put them most or all of the way toward meeting the 2020 emissions benchmarks.

 

The UCS Press release is here: http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/most-states-on-track-to-meet-cpp-benchmarks-0500

ISEA rocked Earth Month and beyond! Since the beginning of April, ISEA volunteers and Solar Ambassadors, Policy Committee and Staff have participated in over 30 events!

 

ISEA Solar Ambassadors have supported and participated in over 20 events and educated an estimated 2,195 people on the advantages of being powered by the sun! Solar Ambassadors are ISEA members who advocate for solar energy and engage with the public to increase awareness, understanding, support and use of clean energy. The Solar Ambassadors spread the word about the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill at all of these events.

Carrie Woodruff is a ISEA Solar Ambassador

 

The ISEA Policy Committee teamed up with the Solar Ambassadors to host six Legislative Solar Socials at homes powered by solar this spring. Attendees had the opportunity to meet Illinois Clean Jobs Bill co-sponsors, view a solar installation and learn about the benefits of living with renewable energy! ISEA held events in Evanston, Chicago, Joliet, West Chicago, Wilmette and Champaign.

 

Representative Carol Ammons at a Legislative Solar Social

 

Over 50 ISEA business and individual members turned out for Solar Lobby Day On May 6^th!   ISEA staff delivered Illinois Clean Jobs letters of support to legislators from their constituents. For more reflections on Lobby Day, click here.

 

Solar Lobby Day in Springfield

 

We are now gearing up for a busy summer with more public events and Legislative Solar Socials. Keep an eye on our events calendar for happenings in your part of the state!

If you would like to sign a letter of support for the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill, you can do so here.

Thank you to all who made ISEA’s Spring Legislative Solar Socials successful!

 

Legislators

Senator John Cullerton

Senator Pat McGuire

Representative Carol Ammons

Representative Laura Fine

Representative Mike Fortner

Representative Robyn Gabel

Representative Lawrence M. Walsh Jr

 

Social Host Sites

The Bullock Family

The Carrington Family

Beth and Harry Drucker

Lisa and Ron Elkins

The Lorch Family

The Willenbrock Family

 

ISEA Policy Leads

Lisa Albrecht

Shannon Fulton

Will Kenworthy

Kacie Stanley

 

Site Installers

Earth Wind and Solar- John Caravette

Juhl Energy -Mike Johnson

New Prairie Construction – Julie Vogel

Solar Service Inc – Brandon Leavitt and Joe Gordon

 

ISEA Staff

Patrick Dodge

Taylor Gendel

Lucas Kappel

The ISEA Policy Committee has scored a win for homeowners participating in the IPA procurement! The committee worked to educate the IPA on the financial burden that an overly strict Revenue Grade Meter requirement would cause homeowners. Systems under 10kW will now be permitted to use their inverter for performance data. 

Details about the Metering Standards are housed on the IPA website.

 

Thank you to this group of dedicated volunteers who work to ensure that Illinois business and residents have clear and fair opportunities to participate in the clean energy economy.

Last night's policy webinar is now up and available to view.

This webinar discussed the details of the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill and how this new RPS will grow the Illinois clean energy economy.

You can view the recording here.

SRECTrade hosted a webinar on April 7th, 2015 for installers and system owners interested in participating in the upcoming Illinois Supplemental Photovoltaic Procurement Program. The webinar covered the basic rules of the program, registering a system with SRECTrade, and submitting a bid for the upcoming solicitation.

The webinar allowed solar installers active in the state of Illinois to join us to learn how existing and future clients can participate in the Supplemental Photovoltaic Procurement Program. 

Here is the recording of the webinar.

ISEA will be hosting a series of Legislative Solar Socials in April and May at solar homeowners residences to spread the word about the Illinois Clean Jobs bill! This event will function like a Town Hall Meeting with the additional benefit for attendees to have the opportunity to view a solar installation and learn about the benefits of living with renewable energy! Illinois legislators will be present at each!

• Wilmette: Saturday, April 18th, 10am-11:30am with Representative Laura Fine
• West Chicago: Saturday, April 25th 11am-12:30pm with Representative Mike Fortner
• Joliet: Saturday: May 2nd 11am-12:30pm with Representative Lawrence M. Walsh Jr.
• Evanston: Saturday, May 9th 11am-12:30pm with Representative Robyn Gabel
• Wauconda: Saturday, May 9th 11am-12:30pm with Senator Pamela Althoff
• Champaign: Saturday, May 16th 11am- 12:30pm with Representative Carol Ammons

Come out and learn more about the Clean Jobs bill and show your support!

The Chicago Infrastructure Trust is interested in installing solar PV systems on City, Sister Agency, and other municipal and not-for-profit partners' properties, and are commencing an Open Bidding Process following the recent submission of an unsolicited proposal.

Any party that wishes to offer its proposal for a solar PV and/or community solar PV project is invited to do so at proposal@shapechicago.org by April 17, 2015 at 9 AM CT.

For more information about the project and detailed guidance on proposals for this Open Bidding Process, please click here.

ISEA is part of the newly formed Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition which is bringing together environmental organizations, businesses and labor to create a clean energy economy in Illinois!  This group will urge lawmakers to pass new standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy that will create tens of thousands of new jobs. 

 

Read the full story of the coalition's launch in the Tribune here.