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HB 3499

NET ELECTRICITY METERING

104th Regular Session Introduced by Eva-Dina Delgado and 1 co-sponsor

HB 3499 updates Illinois net metering by transitioning to a distribution generation rebate, while strengthening interconnection processes, staffing, and consumer protections for di

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Bill Summary · HB 3499

HB 3499 — Net Electricity Metering (Illinois, 104th Gen. Assembly)

Status: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (last action 2025-06-02)
Introduced: February 2025 (filed Feb 7 / first reading Feb 18)
Chief House Sponsor: Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado | Chief Senate Sponsor: Sen. Laura Ellman

Purpose / Intent

HB 3499 updates Illinois law governing net electricity metering and strengthens state administrative support for distributed and community renewable generation. The bill seeks to (1) preserve customer-site distributed generation options, (2) improve and standardize interconnection processes, (3) provide workforce and oversight capacity in the state office charged with retail electricity market development, and (4) establish a clear transition from full retail-rate net metering to a distribution generation rebate (see Section 16-107.6).

Key provisions and changes

  • Renames the Retail Electric Competition Article/Act and the Office:
    • "Retail Electric Competition" → "Retail and Renewable Electric Competition"
    • "Office of Retail Market Development" → "Office of Retail and Renewable Market Development"
    • Head title changed from Director → Bureau Chief
  • Office staffing and duties:
    • Bureau Chief authorized to employ/retain at least 2 professionals dedicated to promoting distributed renewable generation and community renewable projects.
    • Office must solicit stakeholder input, analyze tools/techniques to promote and remove barriers to distributed renewable development, and monitor interconnection performance.
  • Interconnection reform:
    • Office tasked with steps to facilitate interconnections for distributed renewable resources, energy storage, and utility-scale wind/solar to distribution and transmission systems.
    • Interconnection Working Group directed to set a single standardized cost for Level 1 interconnections not to exceed $200.
    • Office, with Commission General Counsel, to develop policies allowing Office staff to lead the Interconnection Working Group without interfering with docketed proceedings.
  • Ombudsperson:
    • Office may employ/designate/retain an Ombudsperson to oversee utility compliance with interconnection rules/policies; sets out oversight/monitoring authority.
  • Net metering (amendment to Section 16-107.5):
    • Clarifies definitions (eligible customer, eligible renewable electrical generating facility, energy storage, community renewable generation project, subscriber/subscription).
    • Metering requirements: eligible customers (with non-competitive service as of July 1, 2011 and non-hourly priced supply) are to be served through single bi-directional meters or dual-channel meters that measure flows in both directions at the same rate. If the existing meter is insufficient, the electricity provider must arrange for installation and maintenance of required metering equipment at the provider’s expense in specified situations; in other cases customers may bear costs until smart meter deployment.
    • Continues 1:1 kilowatt-hour crediting within billing/annualization rules for excess generation (details are retained/updated; bill references transition to distribution generation rebate under Section 16-107.6).
  • Conforming and other technical edits throughout the Public Utilities Act.

Who is affected

  • Residential and commercial customers with on-site or community renewable generation and/or energy storage.
  • Community renewable projects and subscription models (community solar).
  • Electric utilities, meter service providers, and third-party owners/installers of renewable systems.
  • Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and the renamed Office of Retail and Renewable Market Development (new Bureau Chief, staff, and potential Ombudsperson).
  • Interconnection stakeholders (developers, utilities, consumers, contractors).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed Feb 7, 2025; first read Feb 18, 2025 (House).
  • Passed House (third reading) reported Apr 11, 2025 (vote 75–39).
  • Arrived in Senate Apr 14, 2025 and was Re-referred to Assignments; as of 2025-06-02 the bill is under Rule 3-9(a) and Re-referred to Assignments.
  • Some provisions reference other statutory sections (e.g., Section 16-107.6 for the rebate) that would affect implementation and future rulemaking by the ICC and the Office.

If you want, I can produce a one-page stakeholder impact chart (utilities, customers, developers, regulators) or extract the bill’s specific new text for Sections 20-140 and 20-145 if available.

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

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