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HB 3131

Relating to the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Fund; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dick Anderson and 33 co-sponsors

Allows Illinois to advance and participate in interstate transmission projects using PJM’s SAA, with cost recovery primarily from Illinois ratepayers.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3131

Summary — HB 3131 (Advancing Federally Regulated Illinois Transmission Projects Act)

Status: Introduced Feb 18–20, 2025; in committee upon adjournment (6/28/2025). Emergency clause / effective immediately if enacted. Sponsor: Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

Purpose

Authorize the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to identify, advance, and formally participate on behalf of the State in certain interstate electric transmission projects by using PJM’s State Agreement Approach (SAA). The stated goals are to reduce delays to transmission infrastructure needed for resilience, reliability, and the clean‑energy transition and to align projects with Illinois public‑policy objectives (including goals under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act).

Key provisions

  • Creates the "Advancing Federally Regulated Illinois Transmission Projects Act" and adds Section 8‑406.3 to the Public Utilities Act.
  • Authorizes the DCEO Director to identify one or more transmission Projects (located partially or wholly in Illinois) that the Director determines may improve resilience, reliability, and access to clean energy for ratepayers of a public utility with more than 3,000,000 customers.
  • DCEO may enter agreements with Project owners to reflect State intent to pursue the SAA, coordinate, exchange information (including confidentiality and critical‑infrastructure protocols), and reimburse reasonable costs.
  • DCEO must notify PJM of its intention to pursue the SAA and make filings/participate in proceedings before PJM and FERC to obtain a FERC‑accepted cost allocation.
  • Proposed cost allocation must recover all Project costs from Illinois customers only, unless another state voluntarily agrees to share costs.
  • If a Project will not require eminent domain in Illinois, DCEO’s notice to PJM must explicitly state the Project is not subject to competitive bidding.
  • DCEO will assist in qualifying the Project as a PJM resource (e.g., for capacity) as needed.

Eligibility criteria (as drafted)

Before contracting with a Project, the bill sets criteria (verbatim drafting in places is fragmented in the introduced text). Key listed thresholds include:
- >75 miles of transmission line built on existing rights‑of‑way (railroad, highway, municipal).
- >80 miles of transmission line built underground within Illinois.
- The in‑state portion would meet a definition of a high‑voltage transmission facility.
- The Project will connect across regional transmission organizations and/or involve high‑voltage direct‑current (HVDC) lines at ~500 kV or higher.
(Readers should note parts of the introduced text are garbled; final bill language may clarify these criteria.)

Who is affected

  • Illinois ratepayers (cost recovery is proposed to be borne by in‑state customers unless other states opt in).
  • DCEO (new authority and responsibilities).
  • Large public utilities operating in Illinois (explicitly references utilities with >3,000,000 customers).
  • PJM Interconnection and FERC processes and stakeholders.
  • Project owners/developers (must enter agreements with DCEO and coordinate filings).

Process & timeline

  • DCEO selects Projects, enters state‑level agreements, provides notice to PJM, and pursues SAA filings with PJM and FERC.
  • The bill includes an emergency clause; if enacted, provisions take effect immediately.

Potential impacts & considerations

  • Could accelerate major transmission projects that support reliability and state clean‑energy goals by leveraging PJM SAA cost allocation mechanisms.
  • Concentrates decision and coordination authority in DCEO; raises questions about oversight, transparency, and stakeholder input.
  • Cost allocation to only Illinois customers could shift significant project cost burden to in‑state ratepayers unless neighboring states opt in.
  • Legal and regulatory coordination with PJM, FERC, and the Illinois Commerce Commission will be required.
  • Draft contains some unclear/garbled language; final legislative text should be reviewed for precise eligibility and procedural rules.

For further tracking: bill remains in committee as of 6/28/2025; consult subsequent committee reports or amendments for substantive changes.

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

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