HB3445sam002 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Steve Stadelman

Filed: 5/19/2023

10300HB3445sam002 LRB103 29599 SPS 62298 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 3445

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 3445 on page 1, line 5, by inserting "and adding Section 1-129"; and

on page 173, immediately below line 3, by inserting the following:

"(20 ILCS 3855/1-129 new)

Sec. 1-129. Policy study.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) in 2021, Illinois became the first state in the Midwest to mandate a clean energy future when it enacted the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (Public Act 102-662);

(2) through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, Illinois established a plan to completely decarbonize its energy sector by 2050 in an equitable manner that invests in the State's workforce;

(3) technology in the energy sector continues to advance creating cleaner and more efficient options to help the State attain the target of 50% renewable energy by 2040; and

(4) while numerous legislative proposals purport to help the State on its path to equitably attain 100% clean energy, it is important to have a neutral party with relevant expertise evaluate each proposal to ensure it is consistent with the State's goals and maximizes benefits to Illinois residents.

(b) The General Assembly intends:

(1) to prioritize the public interest over the profit motives of utilities and private developers; and

(2) to invest in projects that reduce harmful emissions and contribute to the clean economy.

(c) The Agency shall commission and publish a policy study to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposals described in subsection (g). The potential impacts may include, but are not limited to, support for Illinois' decarbonization goals, the environment, grid reliability, carbon and other pollutant emissions, resource adequacy, long-term and short-term electric rates, environmental justice communities, jobs, and the economy. Where applicable, the study shall address the impact of a proposal with respect to reports by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, PJM, and National Energy Reliability Council staff that Illinois has begun to experience resource adequacy issues.

(d) The Agency shall retain the services of technical and policy experts with energy market and other relevant fields of expertise. The technical and policy experts may include the existing planning and procurement consultant and applicable subcontractors and the procurement administrator and applicable subcontractors. The Illinois Commerce Commission, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide support to and consult with the Agency. The Agency may consult with other State agencies, commissions, or task forces as needed. The Agency may consult with and seek assistance from the Regional Transmission Organizations PJM and MISO

(e) The Agency may solicit information, including confidential or proprietary information, from entities likely to be impacted by the proposals described in subsection (g) for purposes of this study. Any confidential or proprietary information shall be kept confidential and is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

(f) The Agency shall publish a final policy study no later than February 15, 2024 and suitable copies shall be delivered to the Governor and members of the General Assembly. Prior to publishing the final policy study, the Agency shall publish a preliminary draft of the policy study and provide for a 20-day open public comment period. The Agency shall review public comments and publish a final policy study no later than 20 days after the public comment period ends. The policy study shall include policy recommendations to the General Assembly.

(g) The policy study shall evaluate the following proposals and may consider or suggest additional or alternative items:

(1) House Bill 2132 of the 103rd General Assembly as it passed out of the House on March 24, 2023 or a similar pilot program to establish one new utility-scale offshore wind project capable of producing at least 700,000 megawatt hours annually for at least 20 years in Lake Michigan that includes an equity and inclusion plan to create job opportunities for underrepresented populations in addition to equity investment eligible communities and a fully executed project labor agreement. The pilot program may result in an increase in the amounts paid by eligible retail customers in connection with electric service that shall not exceed 0.25% of the amount paid per kilowatt hour by those customers during the year ending May 31, 2009.

(2) Senate Bill 1587 and amendments to Senate Bill 1587 of the 103rd General Assembly filed prior to May 31, 2023 or a similar proposal for the deployment of energy storage systems supported by the State through the development of energy storage credit targets for the Agency to procure on behalf of Illinois electric utilities from privately owned, large scale energy storage providers using energy storage contracts of at least 15 year durations based on a competitive energy storage procurement plan developed by the Agency designed to enhance overall grid reliability, flexibility and efficiency, and to lower electricity prices. The plan must require participants to comply with the equity accountability system requirements in subsection (c-10) of Section 1-75 and to submit proof of project labor agreements. For purposes of this policy study, it should be assumed that the costs associated with procuring energy storage credits shall be recovered through tariffed charges assessed across all retail customers in a uniform cents per kilowatt hour charge. In addition to large scale energy storage, the proposal shall also include the creation of distributed level energy storage programs through utility tariffs as approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. The programs shall include a residential and a commercial storage program that would allow customer-sited batteries to provide grid benefits and cost-savings to ratepayers. The proposal shall also include a community solar energy storage program intended to serve as a peak reduction program by utilizing community solar paired storage projects deployed daily in summer months during peak hours. The installation of the energy storage systems associated with these distributed renewable systems must comply with the prevailing wage requirements described in subparagraph (Q) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75.

(3) Reforms to the Agency's capacity procurement process described in Senate Bill 2552 of the 103rd General Assembly, including developing capacity procurement plans for alternative retail electric suppliers and a capacity procurement plan designed to ensure long-term resource adequacy at the lowest environmentally safe cost over time. The study shall analyze whether the current capacity programs operated by PJM and MISO are effectively serving the ratepayers of Illinois and whether changes are needed to the way in which capacity is procured in Illinois. The study shall evaluate the effectiveness of the potential for new capacity procurement processes, as contemplated by this proposal, at the Agency to provide for reliable and costs effective energy service by guaranteeing adequate capacity reserves compared to those operated by PJM and MISO.

(4) A policy granting incumbent electric transmission owners the right to construct, own, and maintain electric transmission lines approved for construction in a comprehensive transmission plan designed to connect facilities owned by the incumbent electric transmission owner under the functional control of a regional transmission operator. The policy must include the right for an incumbent electric transmission line owner to assign its right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line to a transmission affiliate. The study shall report on the issues arising from oversight of the Illinois grid being split between 2 different regional transmission operators and the challenges that causes regarding proper transmission planning and in infrastructure investment to support existing and new electric generation facilities that do not emit carbon dioxide, including renewable energy resources. The study shall also report on the differences and relative effectiveness between PJM and MISO on their capacity and transmission planning. The study shall also evaluate the rate impact, timeliness, and efficiency of transmission line projects, in other states if necessary, constructed by public utilities compared to those constructed by private entities.

As used in this paragraph:

"Electric transmission line" means a transmission line that is designed and constructed with the capability of being safely and reliably energized at 100 kilovolts or more and its associated transmission facilities, including transmission substations.

"Incumbent electric transmission line" means any public utility or electric cooperative that owns, operates, and maintains at least one electric transmission line in this State.

(5) A policy establishing high voltage direct current renewable energy credits that requires the Agency to procure contracts with at least 25 years but no more than 40 years duration for the delivery of renewable energy credits on behalf of electric utilities in Illinois with at least 300,000 customers from a high voltage direct current transmission facility with more than 100 miles of underground transmission lines in this State capable of transmitting electricity at or above 525 kilovolts and delivering power in the PJM market. High voltage direct current renewable energy credits procured by the Agency pursuant to this policy would not count toward the renewable energy credit purchase targets in subsection (c) of Section 1-75. The study shall also evaluate the power price impact, including net rate impact, to Illinois ratepayers. The study shall evaluate whether a 25-year to 40-year guaranteed contract is necessary to build such a project. The study shall also evaluate whether the policy creates incentives for renewable development in states that do not share Illinois' commitment to fair labor and equity standards.

Section 10. The Illinois Procurement Code is amended by changing Section 1-10 as follows:

(30 ILCS 500/1-10)

Sec. 1-10. Application.

(a) This Code applies only to procurements for which bidders, offerors, potential contractors, or contractors were first solicited on or after July 1, 1998. This Code shall not be construed to affect or impair any contract, or any provision of a contract, entered into based on a solicitation prior to the implementation date of this Code as described in Article 99, including, but not limited to, any covenant entered into with respect to any revenue bonds or similar instruments. All procurements for which contracts are solicited between the effective date of Articles 50 and 99 and July 1, 1998 shall be substantially in accordance with this Code and its intent.

(b) This Code shall apply regardless of the source of the funds with which the contracts are paid, including federal assistance moneys. This Code shall not apply to:

(1) Contracts between the State and its political subdivisions or other governments, or between State governmental bodies, except as specifically provided in this Code.

(2) Grants, except for the filing requirements of Section 20-80.

(3) Purchase of care, except as provided in Section 5-30.6 of the Illinois Public Aid Code and this Section.

(4) Hiring of an individual as an employee and not as an independent contractor, whether pursuant to an employment code or policy or by contract directly with that individual.

(5) Collective bargaining contracts.

(6) Purchase of real estate, except that notice of this type of contract with a value of more than $25,000 must be published in the Procurement Bulletin within 10 calendar days after the deed is recorded in the county of jurisdiction. The notice shall identify the real estate purchased, the names of all parties to the contract, the value of the contract, and the effective date of the contract.

(7) Contracts necessary to prepare for anticipated litigation, enforcement actions, or investigations, provided that the chief legal counsel to the Governor shall give his or her prior approval when the procuring agency is one subject to the jurisdiction of the Governor, and provided that the chief legal counsel of any other procuring entity subject to this Code shall give his or her prior approval when the procuring entity is not one subject to the jurisdiction of the Governor.

(8) (Blank).

(9) Procurement expenditures by the Illinois Conservation Foundation when only private funds are used.

(10) (Blank).

(11) Public-private agreements entered into according to the procurement requirements of Section 20 of the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Act and design-build agreements entered into according to the procurement requirements of Section 25 of the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Act.

(12) (A) Contracts for legal, financial, and other professional and artistic services entered into by the Illinois Finance Authority in which the State of Illinois is not obligated. Such contracts shall be awarded through a competitive process authorized by the members of the Illinois Finance Authority and are subject to Sections 5-30, 20-160, 50-13, 50-20, 50-35, and 50-37 of this Code, as well as the final approval by the members of the Illinois Finance Authority of the terms of the contract.

(B) Contracts for legal and financial services entered into by the Illinois Housing Development Authority in connection with the issuance of bonds in which the State of Illinois is not obligated. Such contracts shall be awarded through a competitive process authorized by the members of the Illinois Housing Development Authority and are subject to Sections 5-30, 20-160, 50-13, 50-20, 50-35, and 50-37 of this Code, as well as the final approval by the members of the Illinois Housing Development Authority of the terms of the contract.

(13) Contracts for services, commodities, and equipment to support the delivery of timely forensic science services in consultation with and subject to the approval of the Chief Procurement Officer as provided in subsection (d) of Section 5-4-3a of the Unified Code of Corrections, except for the requirements of Sections 20-60, 20-65, 20-70, and 20-160 and Article 50 of this Code; however, the Chief Procurement Officer may, in writing with justification, waive any certification required under Article 50 of this Code. For any contracts for services which are currently provided by members of a collective bargaining agreement, the applicable terms of the collective bargaining agreement concerning subcontracting shall be followed.

On and after January 1, 2019, this paragraph (13), except for this sentence, is inoperative.

(14) Contracts for participation expenditures required by a domestic or international trade show or exhibition of an exhibitor, member, or sponsor.

(15) Contracts with a railroad or utility that requires the State to reimburse the railroad or utilities for the relocation of utilities for construction or other public purpose. Contracts included within this paragraph (15) shall include, but not be limited to, those associated with: relocations, crossings, installations, and maintenance. For the purposes of this paragraph (15), "railroad" means any form of non-highway ground transportation that runs on rails or electromagnetic guideways and "utility" means: (1) public utilities as defined in Section 3-105 of the Public Utilities Act, (2) telecommunications carriers as defined in Section 13-202 of the Public Utilities Act, (3) electric cooperatives as defined in Section 3.4 of the Electric Supplier Act, (4) telephone or telecommunications cooperatives as defined in Section 13-212 of the Public Utilities Act, (5) rural water or waste water systems with 10,000 connections or less, (6) a holder as defined in Section 21-201 of the Public Utilities Act, and (7) municipalities owning or operating utility systems consisting of public utilities as that term is defined in Section 11-117-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(16) Procurement expenditures necessary for the Department of Public Health to provide the delivery of timely newborn screening services in accordance with the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act.

(17) Procurement expenditures necessary for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Public Health to implement the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program and Opioid Alternative Pilot Program requirements and ensure access to medical cannabis for patients with debilitating medical conditions in accordance with the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.

(18) This Code does not apply to any procurements necessary for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Public Health to implement the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act if the applicable agency has made a good faith determination that it is necessary and appropriate for the expenditure to fall within this exemption and if the process is conducted in a manner substantially in accordance with the requirements of Sections 20-160, 25-60, 30-22, 50-5, 50-10, 50-10.5, 50-12, 50-13, 50-15, 50-20, 50-21, 50-35, 50-36, 50-37, 50-38, and 50-50 of this Code; however, for Section 50-35, compliance applies only to contracts or subcontracts over $100,000. Notice of each contract entered into under this paragraph (18) that is related to the procurement of goods and services identified in paragraph (1) through (9) of this subsection shall be published in the Procurement Bulletin within 14 calendar days after contract execution. The Chief Procurement Officer shall prescribe the form and content of the notice. Each agency shall provide the Chief Procurement Officer, on a monthly basis, in the form and content prescribed by the Chief Procurement Officer, a report of contracts that are related to the procurement of goods and services identified in this subsection. At a minimum, this report shall include the name of the contractor, a description of the supply or service provided, the total amount of the contract, the term of the contract, and the exception to this Code utilized. A copy of any or all of these contracts shall be made available to the Chief Procurement Officer immediately upon request. The Chief Procurement Officer shall submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly no later than November 1 of each year that includes, at a minimum, an annual summary of the monthly information reported to the Chief Procurement Officer. This exemption becomes inoperative 5 years after June 25, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-27).

(19) Acquisition of modifications or adjustments, limited to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, adaptive equipment, repairs, and replacement parts to provide reasonable accommodations (i) that enable a qualified applicant with a disability to complete the job application process and be considered for the position such qualified applicant desires, (ii) that modify or adjust the work environment to enable a qualified current employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of the position held by that employee, (iii) to enable a qualified current employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, and (iv) that allow a customer, client, claimant, or member of the public seeking State services full use and enjoyment of and access to its programs, services, or benefits.

For purposes of this paragraph (19):

"Assistive technology devices" means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

"Assistive technology services" means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

"Qualified" has the same meaning and use as provided under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act when describing an individual with a disability.

(20) Procurement expenditures necessary for the Illinois Commerce Commission to hire third-party facilitators pursuant to Sections 16-105.17 and 16-108.18 of the Public Utilities Act or an ombudsman pursuant to Section 16-107.5 of the Public Utilities Act, a facilitator pursuant to Section 16-105.17 of the Public Utilities Act, or a grid auditor pursuant to Section 16-105.10 of the Public Utilities Act.

(21) Procurement expenditures for the purchase, renewal, and expansion of software, software licenses, or software maintenance agreements that support the efforts of the Illinois State Police to enforce, regulate, and administer the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, the Firearms Restraining Order Act, the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act, the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS), the Uniform Crime Reporting Act, the Criminal Identification Act, the Uniform Conviction Information Act, and the Gun Trafficking Information Act, or establish or maintain record management systems necessary to conduct human trafficking investigations or gun trafficking or other stolen firearm investigations. This paragraph (21) applies to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly and the renewal of contracts that are in effect on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for contracts with an annual value of more than $100,000 entered into on or after October 1, 2017 under an exemption provided in any paragraph of this subsection (b), except paragraph (1), (2), or (5), each State agency shall post to the appropriate procurement bulletin the name of the contractor, a description of the supply or service provided, the total amount of the contract, the term of the contract, and the exception to the Code utilized. The chief procurement officer shall submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly no later than November 1 of each year that shall include, at a minimum, an annual summary of the monthly information reported to the chief procurement officer.

(c) This Code does not apply to the electric power procurement process provided for under Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act and Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act. This Code does not apply to the procurement of technical and policy experts pursuant to Section 1-129 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.

(d) Except for Section 20-160 and Article 50 of this Code, and as expressly required by Section 9.1 of the Illinois Lottery Law, the provisions of this Code do not apply to the procurement process provided for under Section 9.1 of the Illinois Lottery Law.

(e) This Code does not apply to the process used by the Capital Development Board to retain a person or entity to assist the Capital Development Board with its duties related to the determination of costs of a clean coal SNG brownfield facility, as defined by Section 1-10 of the Illinois Power Agency Act, as required in subsection (h-3) of Section 9-220 of the Public Utilities Act, including calculating the range of capital costs, the range of operating and maintenance costs, or the sequestration costs or monitoring the construction of clean coal SNG brownfield facility for the full duration of construction.

(f) (Blank).

(g) (Blank).

(h) This Code does not apply to the process to procure or contracts entered into in accordance with Sections 11-5.2 and 11-5.3 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(i) Each chief procurement officer may access records necessary to review whether a contract, purchase, or other expenditure is or is not subject to the provisions of this Code, unless such records would be subject to attorney-client privilege.

(j) This Code does not apply to the process used by the Capital Development Board to retain an artist or work or works of art as required in Section 14 of the Capital Development Board Act.

(k) This Code does not apply to the process to procure contracts, or contracts entered into, by the State Board of Elections or the State Electoral Board for hearing officers appointed pursuant to the Election Code.

(l) This Code does not apply to the processes used by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to procure supplies and services paid for from the private funds of the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Fund. As used in this subsection (l), "private funds" means funds derived from deposits paid into the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund and the earnings thereon.

(m) This Code shall apply regardless of the source of funds with which contracts are paid, including federal assistance moneys. Except as specifically provided in this Code, this Code shall not apply to procurement expenditures necessary for the Department of Public Health to conduct the Healthy Illinois Survey in accordance with Section 2310-431 of the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 101-27, eff. 6-25-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-175, eff. 7-29-21; 102-483, eff 1-1-22; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-600, eff. 8-27-21; 102-662, eff. 9-15-21; 102-721, eff. 1-1-23; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 102-1116, eff. 1-10-23.)

Section 15. The Counties Code is amended by changing Section 5-12020 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/5-12020)

Sec. 5-12020. Commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Commercial solar energy facility" means a "commercial solar energy system" as defined in Section 10-720 of the Property Tax Code. "Commercial solar energy facility" does not mean a utility-scale solar energy facility being constructed at a site that was eligible to participate in a procurement event conducted by the Illinois Power Agency pursuant to subsection (c-5) of Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.

"Commercial wind energy facility" means a wind energy conversion facility of equal or greater than 500 kilowatts in total nameplate generating capacity. "Commercial wind energy facility" includes a wind energy conversion facility seeking an extension of a permit to construct granted by a county or municipality before January 27, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1123) this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

"Facility owner" means (i) a person with a direct ownership interest in a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility, or both, regardless of whether the person is involved in acquiring the necessary rights, permits, and approvals or otherwise planning for the construction and operation of the facility, and (ii) at the time the facility is being developed, a person who is acting as a developer of the facility by acquiring the necessary rights, permits, and approvals or by planning for the construction and operation of the facility, regardless of whether the person will own or operate the facility.

"Nonparticipating property" means real property that is not a participating property.

"Nonparticipating residence" means a residence that is located on nonparticipating property and that is existing and occupied on the date that an application for a permit to develop the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility is filed with the county.

"Occupied community building" means any one or more of the following buildings that is existing and occupied on the date that the application for a permit to develop the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility is filed with the county: a school, place of worship, day care facility, public library, or community center.

"Participating property" means real property that is the subject of a written agreement between a facility owner and the owner of the real property that provides the facility owner an easement, option, lease, or license to use the real property for the purpose of constructing a commercial wind energy facility, a commercial solar energy facility, or supporting facilities. "Participating property" also includes real property that is owned by a facility owner for the purpose of constructing a commercial wind energy facility, a commercial solar energy facility, or supporting facilities.

"Participating residence" means a residence that is located on participating property and that is existing and occupied on the date that an application for a permit to develop the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility is filed with the county.

"Protected lands" means real property that is:

(1) subject to a permanent conservation right consistent with the Real Property Conservation Rights Act; or

(2) registered or designated as a nature preserve, buffer, or land and water reserve under the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act.

"Supporting facilities" means the transmission lines, substations, access roads, meteorological towers, storage containers, and equipment associated with the generation and storage of electricity by the commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility.

"Wind tower" includes the wind turbine tower, nacelle, and blades.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or whether the county has formed a zoning commission and adopted formal zoning under Section 5-12007, a county may establish standards for commercial wind energy facilities, commercial solar energy facilities, or both. The standards may include all of the requirements specified in this Section but may not include requirements for commercial wind energy facilities or commercial solar energy facilities that are more restrictive than specified in this Section. A county may also regulate the siting of commercial wind energy facilities with standards that are not more restrictive than the requirements specified in this Section in unincorporated areas of the county that are outside the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality and that are outside the 1.5-mile radius surrounding the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality.

(c) If a county has elected to establish standards under subsection (b), before the county grants siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility, or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, the county board of the county in which the facility is to be sited or the zoning board of appeals for the county shall hold at least one public hearing. The public hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act and shall be held not more than 60 45 days after the filing of the application for the facility. The county shall allow interested parties to a special use permit an opportunity to present evidence and to cross-examine witnesses at the hearing, but the county may impose reasonable restrictions on the public hearing, including reasonable time limitations on the presentation of evidence and the cross-examination of witnesses. The county shall also allow public comment at the public hearing in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The county shall make its siting and permitting decisions not more than 30 days after the conclusion of the public hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. A facility owner must enter into an agricultural impact mitigation agreement with the Department of Agriculture prior to the date of the required public hearing. A commercial wind energy facility owner seeking an extension of a permit granted by a county prior to July 24, 2015 (the effective date of Public Act 99-132) must enter into an agricultural impact mitigation agreement with the Department of Agriculture prior to a decision by the county to grant the permit extension. Counties may allow test wind towers or test solar energy systems to be sited without formal approval by the county board.

(d) A county with an existing zoning ordinance in conflict with this Section shall amend that zoning ordinance to be in compliance with this Section within 120 days after January 27, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1123) this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(e) A county may require:

(1) a wind tower of a commercial wind energy facility to be sited as follows, with setback distances measured from the center of the base of the wind tower:

Setback Description Setback Distance

Occupied Community 2.1 times the maximum blade tip Buildings height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the outside wall of the structure

Participating Residences 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the outside wall of the structure

Nonparticipating Residences 2.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the outside wall of the structure

Boundary Lines of None Participating Property

Boundary Lines of 1.1 times the maximum blade tip Nonparticipating Property height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the property line of the nonparticipating property

Public Road Rights-of-Way 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the center point of the public road right-of-way

Overhead Communication and 1.1 times the maximum blade tip Electric Transmission height of the wind tower to the and Distribution Facilities nearest edge of the property (Not Including Overhead line, easement, or Utility Service Lines to right-of-way right of way Individual Houses or containing the overhead line Outbuildings)

Overhead Utility Service None Lines to Individual Houses or Outbuildings

Fish and Wildlife Areas 2.1 times the maximum blade and Illinois Nature tip height of the wind tower Preserve Commission to the nearest point on the Protected Lands property line of the fish and wildlife area or protected land

This Section does not exempt or excuse compliance with electric facility clearances approved or required by the National Electrical Code, The National Electrical Safety Code, Illinois Commerce Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and their designees or successors.

(2) a wind tower of a commercial wind energy facility to be sited so that industry standard computer modeling indicates that any occupied community building or nonparticipating residence will not experience more than 30 hours per year of shadow flicker under planned operating conditions;

(3) a commercial solar energy facility to be sited as follows, with setback distances measured from the nearest edge of any component of the facility:

Setback Description Setback Distance

Occupied Community 150 feet from the nearest Buildings and Dwellings on point on the outside wall Nonparticipating Properties of the structure

Boundary Lines of None Participating Property

Public Road Rights-of-Way 50 feet from the nearest edge

Boundary Lines of 50 feet to the nearest Nonparticipating Property point on the property line of the nonparticipating property

(4) a commercial solar energy facility to be sited so that the facility's perimeter is enclosed by fencing having a height of at least 6 feet and no more than 25 feet; and

(5) a commercial solar energy facility to be sited so that no component of a solar panel has a height of more than 20 feet above ground when the solar energy facility's arrays are at full tilt.

The requirements set forth in this subsection (e) may be waived subject to the written consent of the owner of each affected nonparticipating property.

(f) A county may not set a sound limitation for wind towers in commercial wind energy facilities or any components in commercial solar energy facilities facility that is more restrictive than the sound limitations established by the Illinois Pollution Control Board under 35 Ill. Adm. Code Parts 900, 901, and 910.

(g) A county may not place any restriction on the installation or use of a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility unless it adopts an ordinance that complies with this Section. A county may not establish siting standards for supporting facilities that preclude development of commercial wind energy facilities or commercial solar energy facilities.

A request for siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility, or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, shall be approved if the request is in compliance with the standards and conditions imposed in this Act, the zoning ordinance adopted consistent with this Code, and the conditions imposed under State and federal statutes and regulations.

(h) A county may not adopt zoning regulations that disallow, permanently or temporarily, commercial wind energy facilities or commercial solar energy facilities from being developed or operated in any district zoned to allow agricultural or industrial uses.

(i) A county may not require permit application fees for a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility that are unreasonable. All application fees imposed by the county shall be consistent with fees for projects in the county with similar capital value and cost.

(j) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a county shall not require standards for construction, decommissioning, or deconstruction of a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility or related financial assurances that are more restrictive than those included in the Department of Agriculture's standard wind farm agricultural impact mitigation agreement, template 81818, or standard solar agricultural impact mitigation agreement, version 8.19.19, as applicable and in effect on December 31, 2022. The amount of any decommissioning payment shall be in accordance with the financial assurance limited to the cost identified in the decommissioning or deconstruction plan, as required by those agricultural impact mitigation agreements, minus the salvage value of the project.

(j-5) A commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility shall file a farmland drainage plan with the county and impacted drainage districts outlining how surface and subsurface drainage of farmland will be restored during and following construction or deconstruction of the facility. The plan is to be created independently by the facility developer and shall include the location of any potentially impacted drainage district facilities to the extent this information is publicly available from the county or the drainage district, plans to repair any subsurface drainage affected during construction or deconstruction using procedures outlined in the agricultural impact mitigation agreement entered into by the commercial wind energy facility owner or commercial solar energy facility owner, and procedures for the repair and restoration of surface drainage affected during construction or deconstruction. All surface and subsurface damage shall be repaired as soon as reasonably practicable.

(k) A county may not condition approval of a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility on a property value guarantee and may not require a facility owner to pay into a neighboring property devaluation escrow account.

(l) A county may require certain vegetative screening surrounding a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility but may not require earthen berms or similar structures.

(m) A county may set blade tip height limitations for wind towers in commercial wind energy facilities but may not set a blade tip height limitation that is more restrictive than the height allowed under a Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation by the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 CFR Part 77.

(n) A county may require that a commercial wind energy facility owner or commercial solar energy facility owner provide:

(1) the results and recommendations from consultation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that are obtained through the Ecological Compliance Assessment Tool (EcoCAT) or a comparable successor tool; and

(2) the results of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Information for Planning and Consulting environmental review or a comparable successor tool that is consistent with (i) the "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines" and (ii) any applicable United States Fish and Wildlife Service solar wildlife guidelines that have been subject to public review.

(o) A county may require a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility to adhere to the recommendations provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in an EcoCAT natural resource review report under 17 Ill. Adm. Admin. Code Part 1075.

(p) A county may require a facility owner to:

(1) demonstrate avoidance of protected lands as identified by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission; or

(2) consider the recommendations of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for setbacks from protected lands, including areas identified by the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission.

(q) A county may require that a facility owner provide evidence of consultation with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office to assess potential impacts on State-registered historic sites under the Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act.

(r) To maximize community benefits, including, but not limited to, reduced stormwater runoff, flooding, and erosion at the ground mounted solar energy system, improved soil health, and increased foraging habitat for game birds, songbirds, and pollinators, a county may (1) require a commercial solar energy facility owner to plant, establish, and maintain for the life of the facility vegetative ground cover, consistent with the goals of the Pollinator-Friendly Solar Site Act and (2) require the submittal of a vegetation management plan that is in compliance with the agricultural impact mitigation agreement in the application to construct and operate a commercial solar energy facility in the county if the vegetative ground cover and vegetation management plan comply with the requirements of the underlying agreement with the landowner or landowners where the facility will be constructed.

No later than 90 days after January 27, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1123) this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources shall develop guidelines for vegetation management plans that may be required under this subsection for commercial solar energy facilities. The guidelines must include guidance for short-term and long-term property management practices that provide and maintain native and non-invasive naturalized perennial vegetation to protect the health and well-being of pollinators.

(s) If a facility owner enters into a road use agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation, a road district, or other unit of local government relating to a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility, the road use agreement shall require the facility owner to be responsible for (i) the reasonable cost of improving roads used by the facility owner to construct the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility and (ii) the reasonable cost of repairing roads used by the facility owner during construction of the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility so that those roads are in a condition that is safe for the driving public after the completion of the facility's construction. Roadways improved in preparation for and during the construction of the commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility shall be repaired and restored to the improved condition at the reasonable cost of the developer if the roadways have degraded or were damaged as a result of construction-related activities.

The road use agreement shall not require the facility owner to pay costs, fees, or charges for road work that is not specifically and uniquely attributable to the construction of the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility. Road-related fees, permit fees, or other charges imposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, a road district, or other unit of local government under a road use agreement with the facility owner shall be reasonably related to the cost of administration of the road use agreement.

(s-5) The facility owner shall also compensate landowners for crop losses or other agricultural damages resulting from damage to the drainage system caused by the construction of the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility. The commercial wind energy facility owner or commercial solar energy facility owner shall repair or pay for the repair of all damage to the subsurface drainage system caused by the construction of the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility in accordance with the agriculture impact mitigation agreement requirements for repair of drainage. The commercial wind energy facility owner or commercial solar energy facility owner shall repair or pay for the repair and restoration of surface drainage caused by the construction or deconstruction of the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility as soon as reasonably practicable.

(t) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a facility owner with siting approval from a county to construct a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility is authorized to cross or impact a drainage system, including, but not limited to, drainage tiles, open drainage ditches districts, culverts, and water gathering vaults, owned or under the control of a drainage district under the Illinois Drainage Code without obtaining prior agreement or approval from the drainage district in accordance with the farmland drainage plan required by subsection (j-5) , except that the facility owner shall repair or pay for the repair of all damage to the drainage system caused by the construction of the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility within a reasonable time after construction of the commercial wind energy facility or the commercial solar energy facility is complete.

(u) The amendments to this Section adopted in Public Act 102-1123 this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly do not apply to (1) an application for siting approval or for a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility if the application was submitted to a unit of local government before January 27, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1123) this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly or (2) a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility if the facility owner has submitted an agricultural impact mitigation agreement to the Department of Agriculture before January 27, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1123) this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 101-4, eff. 4-19-19; 102-1123, eff. 1-27-23; revised 4-5-23.)

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