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SB 2736

Kratom; authorize regulation of and prohibit certain products.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Tate

Allows natural gas peaker plants to run continuously until 21,000 MWe of new utility-scale renewables come online, to ensure reliability.

Died In Committee
#publichealthandwelfare
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Bill Summary · SB 2736

SB 2736 — Summary (Introduced version)

Short title / subject: Listed as "Kratom; authorize regulation of and prohibit certain products." Subject classification: Public Health and Welfare.
Actual text (version provided): Amends the Environmental Protection Act to allow natural gas–fired “peaker” power plants to operate continuously under State permits and rules until a specified amount of new utility‑scale renewable capacity is brought online.
Status: Died in Committee (per the legislative actions provided).
Introduced: 2025 (filed March 13, 2025 in one record; document header shows October 2025—see “Notes/Discrepancies” below). Sponsors: Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.; co‑sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema.

Note: The bill metadata (title mentioning kratom) does not match the bill text (which addresses peaker plants and renewables). This summary focuses on the text supplied.

Purpose / intent

The bill’s stated aim is to “ensure electrical reliability” by allowing natural gas‑fired peaker plants to operate on a continuous basis despite otherwise applicable state rules, terms, or permit conditions, until a renewable generation milestone is achieved in Illinois.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 9.15a to the Environmental Protection Act.
  • Defines (imperfectly in the provided text) “natural gas‑fired peaker power plant” as a natural gas combustion turbine generator primarily used to meet peak demand.
  • Allows each natural gas‑fired peaker plant, “to the extent allowed under federal law,” to be operated on a continuous basis beginning on the act’s effective date and continuing until 30 days after the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) posts a notice that the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) has reported that at least 21,000 MWe of new utility‑scale renewable generation capacity has been brought online in the State.
    • “New utility‑scale renewable power generation capacity” is limited to projects first brought online on or after January 1, 2024.
  • Directs the IEPA to adopt rules and amend existing permits as necessary to implement these provisions.
  • Effective immediately / upon becoming law (text contains both phrases).

Who would be affected

  • Electric utilities and owners/operators of natural gas‑fired peaker plants (would gain authorization for continuous operation under State permits).
  • Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (required to change rules and permits; post determinations).
  • Illinois Power Agency (required to supply data at least annually on new renewable capacity).
  • Nearby communities and public health stakeholders (potential air emissions and local impacts from extended peaker operation).
  • Renewable project developers (their online capacity determines when the temporary peaker authorization ends).

Timeline / procedural aspects

  • The continuous‑operation authorization would begin on the act’s effective date and end 30 days after IEPA posts that 21,000 MWe of new utility‑scale renewables are online (based on IPA data supplied at least annually).
  • IEPA must promulgate implementing rules and amend permits to carry out the Section.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Reliability: Seeks to avoid reliability gaps while renewables are being added.
  • Air quality & public health: Continuous operation of peaker plants (often higher‑emitting units) could increase local and statewide emissions relative to limited peaking operation; outcomes depend on permit modifications and federal limits.
  • Regulatory coordination: Implementation would require IPA‑IEPA data sharing and rulemaking; federal law (e.g., Clean Air Act) may constrain changes.
  • Threshold design: The 21,000 MWe threshold and the January 1, 2024 start date for counting projects are determinative of how long the measure would apply.

Notes / discrepancies

  • The bill’s title/subject (kratom) does not match the provided bill text addressing power plants.
  • Several dates in the legislative action record conflict (e.g., “Died In Committee” listed as 2025‑02‑04, earlier than many filing/introduction dates). The status reported here follows the provided “Died In Committee” entry.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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