Illinois Clean Energy Sectors Unite to Slash Ratepayer Costs by $3 Billion with Grid Upgrade

Illinois clean energy industries are coming together to support HB5856 and SB3959, legislation aimed at future-proofing the state’s energy grid and economy. These bills will help reduce consumer costs, achieve climate goals, create sustainable jobs, and address the growing risk of blackouts. By establishing the first clean energy storage procurement mandate in Illinois, the legislation aims to enhance grid reliability and overcome obstacles to renewable energy development. HB5856/SB3959 is projected to save consumers $30 a month on energy bills, prevent over $7 billion in blackout-related costs, and generate up to $16 billion in economic benefits.

“Clean energy is the future, and it’s my duty to work toward that future for the benefit of all Illinois residents,” said State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), lead House sponsor of HB5856. “HB5856 and SB3959 will provide many benefits to Illinois for decades to come, from lowering consumers costs to ushering in thousands of jobs to preventing dangerous blackouts to bolstering our power grid to make Illinois an attractive investment for energy-intensive tech companies.”

“HB5856 and SB3959 are critical to building on the success of the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in Illinois,” said Andrew Linhares, senior manager of state affairs, Central region for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The Illinois clean energy economy has flourished in recent years but there’s more work to be done to secure the state’s clean energy future. This thoughtfully crafted legislation will help unleash the full potential of solar and storage and help Illinois achieve 100% clean energy by 2050.”

“American Clean Power (ACP) was proud to help lead this collaborative effort to ramp up the procurement and deployment of storage and solar technologies in a way that delivers for the people of Illinois,” said Erika Kowall, Director of Midwestern State Affairs for ACP. “HB5856 and SB3959 will meet the state’s clean energy goals, unleashing the full potential of clean energy’s cost efficiency and economic benefits. We appreciate the leadership of Sen. Cunningham and Rep. Hernandez for swiftly taking up this legislation and hope it can be implemented it quickly.”