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POWER BRIEF
Legislative Newsletter
April 2024
| A monthly roundup of news and top highlights from the Illinois Power Agency | |
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TOP INSIGHTS & HIGHLIGHTS | |
U.S. EPA Awards $156 Million to Bring the Benefits of Solar Energy to Underserved Communities Across Illinois |  | |
On April 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced an award of $156 million (the maximum award available to Illinois) through the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank (IFA), to expand existing solar incentive programs and bring the benefits of solar energy to low-income and disadvantaged communities across Illinois.
This award is part of the comprehensive $7 billion Solar for All program grant competition developed under the Inflation Reduction Act to enable underserved and disadvantaged communities to benefit from solar energy, lower energy costs, create good-quality jobs in communities facing energy burdens, and tackle the climate crisis. The EPA selected 60 applicants to receive funding.
A portion of the funds will help the IPA expand access to Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All programs. Additionally, these federal funds will provide financial assistance to support health and safety, enable upgrades, incorporate energy storage, support energy sovereignty and community-driven projects, and provide critical capital to diverse solar vendors to bring solar projects to low-income communities. This investment will also improve and extend direct community engagement efforts to expand residential solar adoption and build upon Illinois’ soon-to-be-implemented clean energy workforce development programs.
The IPA is working closely with the IFA in developing a comprehensive application for the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s Solar for All grant competition. The IPA appreciates the IFA’s work in implementing new standardized financial tools to reduce the cost of decarbonization for all Illinoisans and making sure that the benefits of a clean energy economy are shared equitably. Funding is expected to roll out in the fall of 2024.
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IPA Spring 2024 Block Energy Procurement and MISO Planning Resource Auction Update | |
On April 15, the IPA conducted its Spring 2024 block energy procurement to serve the eligible retail customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, and MidAmerican. Eligible retail customers are the residential and small commercial customers who have not switched to an Alternative Retail Electric Supplier or to real-time pricing. They represent roughly 20% of the electricity consumption in the State.
Prices observed from the Spring 2024 block energy procurement were in line with prices from the Agency’s Fall 2023 procurement, indicating the ongoing stability of electricity markets after the volatility seen in 2022.
On April 26, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the Regional Transmission Operator for central and southern Illinois, released the results of its annual capacity auction for the 2024-2025 energy delivery year. This was the second year where MISO procured capacity for four separate seasons, rather than as a single annual product.
Prices for the summer of 2024 and spring of 2025 increased slightly from the auction held in 2023 for the 2023-2024 energy delivery year, while fall prices stayed the same and winter prices declined. Prices for the Missouri portion of MISO (Zone 5) spiked for the fall and spring periods due to localized issues in that area, but that Zone 5 price spike will not impact Illinois customers (Zone 4).
Overall, capacity prices remain low compared to the price surge seen in the 2022-2023 delivery year. However, MISO continues to express concern over the longer term about the changing generation mix and load growth across their service area, and the potential for higher prices in the future.
As a result of the Agency’s electricity and capacity procurements, and the results of the MISO capacity auction, electricity prices for the eligible retail customers of ComEd, Ameren, and MidAmerican should remain largely consistent with prior-observed prices for the summer of 2024.
More information can be found on the IPA’s electricity procurement page.
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Find the IPA’s New Legislative Affairs Manager in Springfield on Session Days
The IPA’s Legislative Affairs Manager, Whitney Richardson, will continue to be in Springfield most legislative session days through May. As the Agency’s legislative liaison, Whitney represents the IPA before Illinois General Assembly members and government decision-makers at both the state and local levels.
Have questions about the IPA or its solar incentive programs? Email Whitney at Whitney.Richardson@illinois.gov.
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On April 26, the IPA hosted an educational Power Hour webinar titled Climate Change and Health Equity, which explored the connections between climate change, public health, and equity.
The webinar included presentations from IPA Deputy Legal Counsel, Sarah Duffy; Roosevelt University’s Health Sciences Program Director and Professor, Dr. La Vonne Downey; and GTI Energy’s Community Benefits Program Manager and Yale University Lecturer Elena Grossman.
To view the recording and presentation slides from this webinar, please visit the IPA Events page.
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Illinois Solar For All Presents at Access to Capital Workshop for Small and Emerging Businesses | |
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On March 26, Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program staff members presented at the Access to Capital Workshop for Small and Emerging Businesses, hosted at the NAACP’s Chicago Westside Branch. ILSFA was proud to partner with the Austin African American Business Networking Association (AAABNA) in recruiting small and emerging businesses interested in solar energy to attend this informational workshop.
This in-person event familiarized small and emerging businesses with available funding options to help them grow their businesses. The workshop addressed barriers to participation in the clean energy economy and included an in-depth summary of the ILSFA solar incentive program. The Agency thanks the NAACP Chicago Westside Branch for hosting this educational workshop.
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IPA Presents at City of Peoria Equity in Procurement Expo | |
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On March 28, the city of Peoria, Illinois, hosted the Equity in Procurement Expo, in partnership with the Peoria NAACP, the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations. The Expo gathered approximately 100 attendees and provided small businesses and contractors with the opportunity to learn about solar programs and government procurement opportunities, as well as network with government agencies and other businesses. Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) tabled at the event and met small business owners, energy contractors, and others interested in solar energy. The Agency thanks the City of Peoria and its partners for hosting the event.
For more information, please visit the Equity in Procurement Expo event page.
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IPA’s Sarah Duffy Moderates Panel at CESA Summit | |
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Across April 17-18, the IPA’s Deputy Legal Counsel Sarah Duffy moderated a panel discussion at the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) Summit to Support State Implementation. The summit covered renewable energy financing as it relates to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The panel discussion focused on the Direct Pay option for the federal Investment Tax Credit, an important new funding source for project owners that have traditionally been excluded from the tax credits market due to tax-exempt status. The panel examined case studies from two states and a developer, and examined how states can prepare to participate or have participated in the Direct Pay option.
Panelists for the event included Ryan Cook, Senior Manager of Innovation & Development at Energy Trust of Oregon; Pete Wyckoff, Assistant Commissioner in the Energy Division at the Minnesota Department of Commerce; and David Wright, LEED AP, Vice President of Energy Programs at Groundswell, a nonprofit in the community solar space. The Agency thanks the CESA for hosting this important summit.
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Across April 23-24, the Minority Business Development Center (MBDC), in partnership with the Chicago Urban League, hosted the Renewable Energy Education & Contractor Clinic. This educational clinic walked contractors through the Illinois Shines and ILSFA solar incentive programs. The clinic included interactive workshops, training sessions, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Speakers included representatives from Illinois Shines, ILSFA, and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
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- ILSFA attended Great Plains Institute Workshop on Illinois Low-Impact Solar Development Opportunity on Brownfields and Mined Lands, April 8
- ILSFA attended DCEO Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program Information Session, April 10
- IPA Hosts April Consumer Protection Working Group, May 3
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On December 15, 2023, the Illinois Power Agency hosted a Power Hour webinar titled The State of Wind Energy.
This 90-minute informational webinar provided an overview of wind energy development on national and state levels, including benefits, barriers, and trends. The session also addressed market feedback and discussed proposals for increasing wind project participation in Illinois.
To view the recording and presentation slides from this webinar, please visit the IPA Events page.
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Employee of the Year
On March 22, the IPA was proud to announce its first ever Employee of the Year, Abigail Ramirez!
Abby has played a crucial role in the Illinois Solar for All Program’s success in expanding access to solar energy for income-eligible communities in Illinois. Abby’s work on other key projects within the Agency has been invaluable, consistently demonstrating her hard work and dedication to go above and beyond. Thank you for your excellent work, Abby.
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Staff Highlights
On May 1, the IPA welcomed Jennifer Jakubowski. In her role as Accounting Associate, she will be responsible for processing employee reimbursements, and supporting accounts payable and accounts receivable functions of the Agency.
Jennifer received her Bachelor of Business Administration (Summa Cum Laude) from Saint Xavier University in Chicago. She previously worked as a financial aid officer at Chicago's American Academy of Art College.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Jennifer to the team!
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