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SB 3272

RENEWABLE ENERGY ACCESS PLANS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Bill Cunningham and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a formal, ongoing Renewable Energy Access Plan process to guide Illinois’ renewable transmission planning, investments, and updates with expert input and public partici

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Bill Summary · SB 3272

Overview

Bill SB3272, introduced in the Illinois 104th General Assembly, would amend the Public Utilities Act and the Illinois Procurement Code to formalize and expand the Illinois Commerce Commission’s ability to develop an ongoing Renewable Energy Access Plan (REAP). The measure emphasizes using technical and policy experts, public input, and structured, periodic updates to guide Illinois’ renewable energy transmission planning and investment.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a formal framework for Illinois to plan and update renewable energy transmission and access, aligning with state goals to increase renewable energy deployment, reduce carbon emissions, and lower long-term costs for consumers.
  • Ensure Illinois’ role as a national hub for clean energy by designating zones, coordinating with regional transmission organizations (RTOs/ISOs), and guiding investments in transmission infrastructure and advanced technologies.

Key provisions

  • REAP development and updates:

    • The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) must open an investigation to develop and adopt an initial renewable energy access plan (REAP) and, beginning no later than December 31, 2022, to update it regularly.
    • The plan must designate renewable energy access plan zones, identify transmission needs to deliver renewable generation to customers (in-state and out-of-state), promote investment in Illinois renewable resources, and consider state policies and RTO planning processes.
    • Include recommendations on advanced transmission technologies and potential hydropower conversions, and assess regional interconnections and reliability impacts.

  • Stakeholder engagement and expert support:

    • The ICC may retain technical and policy experts to assist with REAP development.
    • Public analysis and a 120-day open comment period must be provided, with a draft due within 90 days after the comment period ends.

  • Ongoing updates and biennial assessment:

    • By December 31, 2025 (and every two years thereafter, with updates starting 2028), the ICC must open an investigation to develop a REAP update. This update must evaluate implementation, propose improvements, incorporate inputs from integrated resource plans (IRP), and identify transmission projects and advanced technologies.

  • Transmission planning focus:

    • The plan must consider volumes, headroom, and capacity constraints; assess proposed transmission projects and technologies for cost-effectiveness and alignment with clean energy goals; and explore mechanisms to capture value from geographically diverse resources.

  • Administrative and procedural aspects:

    • The ICC can use exemptions from the Illinois Procurement Code for procuring expert services necessary to develop REAP updates.
    • The bill clarifies that the plan and its updates are advisory in nature but aim to influence ongoing grid planning and rates through demonstrated benefits to consumers and policy alignment.

Affected entities

  • Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC): Primary driver of the REAP process.
  • Transmission-owning utilities in Illinois (and large utilities serving >200,000 customers): Potential participants in plan development and in implementing recommended projects.
  • Regional transmission organizations (RTOs/ISOs): Affected through coordination on planning processes and potential changes to regional interconnections and project prioritization.
  • Public and stakeholders: Encouraged to participate via the 120-day public comment periods.

Timeline and milestones

  • Initial REAP: Required to be developed with a draft and 120-day public comment period; final plan to be published with findings no later than a specified date (originally December 31, 2022 in the pre-amendment text; the current text reflects ongoing update requirements through 2025 and beyond).
  • Ongoing updates: Biennial updates beginning in 2025 (and updated again by 2028, etc.), with continued consideration of transmission projects, headroom, and advanced technologies.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Potential impact

  • Provides a structured, transparent process to plan Illinois’ renewable energy transmission expansion.
  • Aims to accelerate deployment of renewable resources by addressing transmission constraints, reducing curtailment, and improving regional planning coordination.
  • Could influence long-term rate impacts through cost-effective project selection and technology options.
  • Expands ICC’s toolkit to hire external experts to support technically complex analyses.

Note: The bill includes several conforming changes to procurement exemptions and cross-references to the Illinois Procurement Code, ensuring that expert services for REAP can be secured efficiently.

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

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