Electric affordability crisis ramps up urgency to pass CRGA Act–legislation that would reduce power prices, lower bills for Illinois consumers
CHICAGO – Amid an electricity price spike sparked by unprecedented power demand and federal rollbacks of clean energy initiatives, legislators, advocates and consumers joined together Tuesday to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB25) in the October veto session. The comprehensive, commonsense reforms in the CRGA Act will generate more clean energy in Illinois, reduce power prices and lower consumers’ utility bills.
“Illinoisans are hurting from electricity price spikes–we call on state leaders to act and protect consumers by getting the CRGA Act across the finish line,” Citizens Utility Board Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “Illinois urgently needs the CRGA Act because it would expand energy efficiency programs and add more battery storage projects to the power grid to help bring down electricity prices and lower bills.”
Illinois has made historic steps forward in securing clean and affordable energy for consumers thanks in large part to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), but the state now faces unprecedented energy challenges. After two decades of relatively steady demand, electricity usage is now skyrocketing due to power-hungry data centers. What’s more, poor regional and national policy hampers Illinois’ progress. Nationally, the Trump administration signed a reckless budget reconciliation bill this summer that slashes clean energy initiatives, and regionally, power grid operators have failed to quickly connect the most affordable resources to the power grid. As a result, painful price spikes have slammed Ameren and ComEd customers across Illinois.
“The Illinois General Assembly and Governor’s Office have been working hard over the past year to get Illinois’ energy policy right. We know that the answer to rising electricity costs is to continue to implement CEJA and pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act,” said Representative Ann Williams. “The CRGA Act accelerates clean energy resources like energy efficiency and battery storage, which are cost-effective and strengthen our energy grid, while also removing barriers to clean energy deployment and giving Illinoisans tools to save money on their electricity bills. This bill is ready to be voted on this veto session and now is the time for action.”
The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB25) offers a plan to meet the challenges facing our electric grid by making investments that prioritize affordability and reliability for consumers and businesses.
“The CRGA Act includes a program for the Illinois Power Agency to procure 6 GW of storage between now and 2035, a procurement path that is needed to unlock the market for storage in our state. It will leverage a proven, effective policy that will give investors in battery storage the certainty needed to move forward quickly to get storage projects built and operating–ultimately supporting a reliable, affordable grid long-term. Instead of importing power from out of state to meet demand, Illinois-based battery storage can power our homes and businesses while also growing jobs and investment locally,” said Jeff Danielson, Vice President of Advocacy of the Clean Grid Alliance.
In addition, the CRGA Act strengthens the power grid by promoting improvements to transmission infrastructure, maximizing the amount of clean electricity power lines can carry through grid-enhancing technologies, and reducing bottlenecks in the process to develop and improve transmission lines. That means more clean energy and more clean energy jobs.
“We started Trajectory Energy Partners in 2017 because of the leadership role Illinois is playing in the transition to clean energy, and passing CRGA will mean Trajectory can continue growing and investing in Illinois. The provisions for battery storage in CRGA will also mean our community solar projects will be able to bring more energy and grid stability for Illinois electricity customers,” said Jon Carson, Founder and Managing Partner with Trajectory Energy Partners. “Illinois can continue to carry the torch as a national leader on clean energy and consumer protection by passing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act this fall.”
The central tenet to the CRGA Act is consumer savings. An Illinois Power Agency analysis found that, even under the most conservative estimates, the CRGA Act would lead to lower bills for consumers across Illinois. Ameren Illinois customer savings will range from $5.48 per month to $12.15 per month by 2030 and rise to $13.82 per month to $20.54 per month by 2035. ComEd customer savings will range from $1.52 per month to $2.32 per month by 2030 and $7.89 per month to $8.52 per month by 2035.
“Waukegan has long been at the forefront of the environmental justice fight here in Illinois. The toxic legacies of superfund sites and a polluting coal plant weigh heavily on our community’s health and future. Now, with the rise of data centers and skyrocketing electric bills, folks in Waukegan are reminded once again that it’s vital to build more clean energy and to bring more wind, solar, and battery projects to the grid. The CRGA Act can help protect communities like mine so we are no longer abused by expensive, dirty coal and gas plants that drive up utility prices in our area, making it hard for families to make ends meet,” said Mayra Mendez, Waukegan resident and Executive Director of Clean Power Lake County. “That’s why it’s so critical that we pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act this fall, and why I’m so excited about what the bill can do for my community.”
