(20 ILCS 735/10-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)

Sec. 10-20. Energy Transition Community Grants.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish an Energy Transition Community Grant Program to award grants to promote economic development in eligible communities.

(b) Funds shall be made available from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund to the Department to provide these grants.

(c) Communities eligible to receive these grants must meet one or more of the following:

(1) the area contains a fossil fuel or nuclear power plant that was retired from service or has significantly reduced service within 6 years before the application for designation or will be retired or have service significantly reduced within 6 years following the application for designation;

(2) the area contains a coal mine that was closed or had operations significantly reduced within 6 years before the application for designation or is anticipated to be closed or have operations significantly reduced within 6 years following the application for designation; or

(3) the area contains a nuclear power plant that was decommissioned, but continued storing nuclear waste before the effective date of this Act.

(d) Local units of governments in eligible areas may join with any other local unit of government, economic development organization, local educational institutions, community-based groups, or with any number or combination thereof to apply for the Energy Transition Community Grant.

(e) To receive grant funds, an eligible community must submit an application to the Department, using a form developed by the Department.

(f) For grants awarded to counties or other entities that are not the city that hosts or has hosted the investor-owned electric generating plant, a resolution of support for the project from the city or cities that hosts or has hosted the investor-owned electric generating plant is required to be submitted with the application.

(g) Grants must be used to plan for or address the economic and social impact on the community or region of plant retirement or transition.

(h) Project applications shall include community input and consultation with a diverse set of stakeholders, including, but not limited to: Regional Planning Councils, where applicable; economic development organizations; low-income or environmental justice communities; educational institutions; elected and appointed officials; organizations representing workers; and other relevant organizations.

(i) Grant costs are authorized to procure third-party vendors for grant writing and implementation costs, including for guidance and opportunities to apply for additional federal, State, local, and private funding resources. If the application is approved for pre-award, one-time reimbursable costs to apply for the Energy Transition Community Grant are authorized up to 3% of the award.

(j) Units of local government that are taxing authorities for a nuclear plant that was decommissioned before January 1, 2021 shall receive grants in proportional shares of $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at such a facility, less any payments made to such communities from the federal government based on the amount of waste stored at a decommissioned nuclear plant and any property tax payments.

(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)