Buckner Energy Reform to Cut Utility Bills, Capture More Clean Energy, Create Jobs, Signed into Law

CHICAGO — Comprehensive legislation to bring down home energy bills, hold large utility corporations accountable and create jobs that state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, passed last fall was signed into law today, marking a victory in his efforts to cut the cost of living.

“The focus of this measure is simple: lower utility bills. With a White House creating economic policy that drives an already-high cost of living up even higher, Illinoisans need relief on essential expenses,” Buckner said. “Adding a greater range of power supplies will provide greater stability to Illinois’ power grid, while lowering utility bills. Constructing new sources of reliable clean energy will create jobs, while lowering utility bills. Ensuring excess solar energy is captured and redistributed will advance our climate goals, while lowering utility bills. This is the environmentally and economically proactive bill Illinoisans deserve.”

Many Illinois residents have seen home energy costs skyrocket. Increased power demands from new high-tech businesses and Washington’s massive tax bill threaten to raise costs even further—resulting in $9.5 billion in increased state energy expenses. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Senate Bill 25) puts Illinois on better footing to counteract rising energy prices.

• • Capturing clean energy: By capturing and redistributing energy already being produced, including from home solar panels, ComEd customers can see substantial relief on monthly costs.
  • Increasing battery storage: By building out our grid to increase the state’s battery storage, power systems will become more reliable and affordable to power millions of Illinois homes.
  • Investing in energy efficiency programs: By directly expanding energy efficiency programs for residents, Senate Bill 25 lowers electricity prices by reducing overall demand and improves equity in programs by allocating a minimum amount of funds to support low-income customers.

The measure will additionally create up to 100,000 jobs, counteracting job insecurity and layoffs caused by the federal budget bill— including over 50,000 lost manufacturing jobs in Illinois. As utility demands increase during the winter months, Senate Bill 25 will play a significant role in meeting the state’s energy needs, strengthening reliability and helping manage untenable costs for customers for both short- and long-term relief. 

“Clean energy is the future and harnessing its potential is key to building a stronger Illinois,” Buckner said. “I’m grateful to the many stakeholders and to my colleagues for the hard work it took to bring this vital legislation across the finish line.”