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HB 3604

Relating to animal rescue entities; and prescribing an effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Andersen and 1 co-sponsor

Removes the prohibition on constructing new large (>300 MW) nuclear reactors in Illinois, enabling siting and construction subject to other state and federal approvals.

Chapter 159, (2025 Laws): effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
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Bill Summary · HB 3604

HB 3604 — Relating to animal rescue entities; and prescribing an effective date

Note: official bill title in the legislature file appears to have a different subject line. The substantive amendments in the bill amend the Public Utilities Act (220 ILCS 5/8‑406).

Purpose / Intent

The bill amends Section 8‑406 of the Illinois Public Utilities Act to (1) remove an existing statutory prohibition on constructing new nuclear power reactors with a nameplate capacity greater than 300 megawatts in Illinois that was conditioned on state findings regarding federal approval of high‑level nuclear waste disposal technology, and (2) add/clarify provisions governing certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) interstate transmission projects and related regulatory procedures.

Key provisions and changes

  • Removal of nuclear restriction

    • Eliminates language that had barred construction of new nuclear reactors >300 MW in Illinois until the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security found the U.S. government had identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for disposal of high‑level nuclear waste.
    • Effect: removes that statutory barrier to siting/constructing large new reactors under state law; such projects would remain subject to other applicable state and federal laws and regulatory approvals.

  • New/clarified certificate authority for qualifying DC transmission projects (subsection (b‑5))

    • Defines "qualifying direct current applicant" and "qualifying direct current project": an HVDC line that crosses at least one Illinois border, with the Illinois portion physically in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region, and that interconnects with AC facilities in Illinois.
    • Lists specified counties through which such projects may run (e.g., Montgomery, Christian, Pike, Shelby, Greene, Cumberland, Scott, Clark, Macoupin — as stated in the introduced text).
    • Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) shall grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity to a qualifying applicant if statutory criteria are met; applicants may also seek authority under Section 8‑503 in the same filing.
    • Treats qualifying DC projects as public use and creates a presumptive finding of satisfaction of certain statutory criteria for projects with capacity ≥1,000 megawatts and voltage ≥345 kilovolts, subject to demonstration in the application.
    • Requires the qualifying applicant to hold three public meetings in accordance with subsection (h) before filing the application.
    • Requires ICC approval prior to transfer of functional control of transmission assets to a regional transmission organization (RTO); the bill contemplates coordination with RTOs such as MISO or PJM.

  • General/codifying edits

    • Rewrites portions of Section 8‑406 to clarify the certificate process, show criteria ICC must consider (service adequacy, reliability, least‑cost means), and address management, supervision, and financing standards for proposed construction.

Who is affected

  • Electric utilities and transmission developers, especially entities proposing large nuclear plants or interstate HVDC transmission projects.
  • Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) — new/clarified duties on certificate review, public meeting requirements, and approvals related to RTO membership or transfers of control.
  • State agencies previously referenced in the removed nuclear prohibition (Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Office of Homeland Security) — their prior trigger role is removed.
  • Communities and landowners in counties traversed by qualifying DC projects; regional grid operators (MISO, PJM); electricity consumers (potentially affected by project costs and system benefits).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Legislative action: introduced 2/18/2025 (Rep. Dave Vella); multiple committee actions, amendments, hearings and work sessions; passed both chambers; Governor signed (record shows Governor signed on 2025‑05‑27).
  • Effective date: Chapter 159, 2025 Laws — effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
  • Related/companion bill: SB 1974.

Impact summary

  • Removes a statutory impediment to siting and building new large nuclear reactors in Illinois (reactors >300 MW), potentially enabling developer activity subject to other regulatory approvals.
  • Creates a clearer path and specific procedural rules for interstate HVDC transmission projects to obtain certificates from the ICC, including expedited presumptions for very large projects (≥1,000 MW and ≥345 kV) and explicit public engagement requirements.

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

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