HB2855 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 07594 JRG 52641 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2855

Introduced , by Rep. Robyn Gabel

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/16-107.8 new

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to initiate a process whereby the Commission shall develop a forward-looking plan for strategically increasing transportation electrification in the State, that the process shall be open and transparent, and that the process shall conclude within 270 days of opening. Provides that the plan developed by the Commission shall incentivize transportation electrification through beneficial electrification programs, may include specific directives for public utilities in the State that enable transportation electrification or beneficial electrification, and should specifically address environmental justice interests and provide opportunities for residents and businesses in environmental justice communities to directly benefit from transportation electrification. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Findings.

(a) The transportation sector is now the leading source of carbon pollution in Illinois, responsible for roughly one-third of all carbon emissions. The State of Illinois should set forth an ambitious goal to remove the equivalent of 1,000,000 gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles from our roads by quickly implementing new policies that expand access to transit, promote walking and biking mobility, and increase electric vehicle adoption. If managed appropriately, electric vehicle adoption will drastically reduce emissions from transportation, and could save Illinois residents billions of dollars.

(b) In addition to better air quality and safer climate, Illinois residents that do not use electric vehicles also benefit from greater adoption through lower electric bills resulting from the greater utilization of the electric grid during off-peak hours.

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 16-107.8 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/16-107.8 new)

Sec. 16-107.8. Beneficial electrification.

(a) The purpose of this Section is to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and to ensure that electric vehicle adoption and increased electricity usage demand do not place significant additional burdens on the electric distribution system.

(b) In this Section, "managed charging program" means a program whereby owners of electric vehicles connect their charging infrastructure to a network that has the ability to remotely control the time and level of charge based on the electric distribution grid's current demand, market rates, or availability of clean energy generation.

(c) Within 120 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall initiate a process whereby the Commission shall develop a forward-looking plan for strategically increasing transportation electrification in the State. The process shall be open and transparent with inclusion of stakeholder interests, including stakeholders representing environmental justice interests. This process shall conclude within 270 days of opening. The plan shall incentivize transportation electrification through beneficial electrification programs, as described in subsection (d), taking into consideration incentives available through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and other sources. The plan may include specific directives for public utilities in the State that enable transportation electrification or beneficial electrification. The plan should specifically address environmental justice interests and should provide opportunities for residents and businesses in environmental justice communities to directly benefit from transportation electrification.

(d) Beneficial electrification programs, as described elsewhere in this Act and in the Electric Vehicle Act, shall be defined as programs which replace fossil fuel use and improve electric grid operation. Programs should provide for incentives such that customers are encouraged to use electricity at times of low overall system usage or at times when generation from renewable energy sources is high. Programs that qualify as beneficial electrification programs include:

(1) time-of-use rates under Section 16-107.7;

(2) managed charging programs;

(3) electric vehicle-to-grid;

(4) demand response;

(5) renewable energy generation located in close proximity to the intended energy user; and

(6) other such programs as defined by the Commission in the stakeholder process described in subsection (b).

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.