HB2922 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 07565 CEL 37636 b

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB2922

Introduced , by Rep. Laura Fine

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/16-115E new

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Creates a provision concerning renewable energy source options. Defines "renewable energy source". Provides that an electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier shall provide to its customers one or more renewable energy source options, which may include renewable energy source default service provided by the electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier. Provides that a renewable energy source default service shall have either all or a portion of its service attributable to a renewable energy source component procured by the electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier, with any remainder filled by standard default service, and that the price of any renewable energy source default service shall be approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Provides that under any option offered, the customer shall be purchasing electricity generated by renewable energy sources or the attributes of such generation, either in connection with or separately from the electricity produced. Provides that an electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier shall include educational materials to their customers that explain renewable energy source options being offered. Provides that reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure that the renewable energy source component of an renewable energy source option is not separately advertised, claimed, or sold as part of any other electricity service or transaction. Provides that the Commission shall implement this Section through utility-specific filings, and that an electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier may require that a minimum number of customers choose to participate in the program or a minimum load amount.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning utilities.

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

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 16-115E as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/16-115E new)

Sec. 16-115E. Renewable energy source option.

(a) For the purposes of this Section, "renewable energy source" means a source of electricity that would qualify to receive renewable energy credit.

(b) An electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier shall provide to its customers one or more renewable energy source options, as approved by the Commission, which may include renewable energy source default service provided by the electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier. Costs associated with selecting a renewable energy source shall be paid for by those customers choosing to take such an option. An electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier may recover all prudently incurred administrative costs of a renewable energy source option from all customers, as approved by the Commission.

(c) Renewable energy source default service shall have either all or a portion of its service attributable to a renewable energy source component procured by the electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier, with any remainder filled by standard default service. The price of any renewable energy source default service shall be approved by the Commission.

(d) Under any option offered, the customer shall be purchasing electricity generated by renewable energy sources or the attributes of such generation, either in connection with or separately from the electricity produced.

(e) An electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier that is required by statute to provide default service from its generation assets shall use any of its owned generation assets that are powered by renewable energy for the provision of standard default service, rather than for the provision of a renewable energy source component.

(f) An electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier shall include educational materials in their normal communications to their customers that explain renewable energy source options being offered and the health and environmental benefits associated with them. The educational materials shall be compatible with any environmental disclosure requirements established by the Commission.

(g) For the purposes of consumer protection and the maintenance of program integrity, reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure that the renewable energy source component of an renewable energy source option is not separately advertised, claimed, or sold as part of any other electricity service or transaction.

(h) If renewable energy source default service is not available for purchase at a reasonable cost on behalf of consumers choosing a renewable energy source default service option, an electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier may, as approved by the Commission, make payments to the renewable energy fund on behalf of customers to comply with this Section.

(i) The Commission shall implement this Section through utility-specific filings. Approved renewable energy source options shall be included in individual tariff filings by the electric utilities or alternative retail electric supplier.

(j) An electric utility or alternative retail electric supplier, with the Commission's approval, may require that a minimum number of customers choose to participate in the program in order to offer a renewable energy source option or a minimum load amount.