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REPURPOSE, REINVEST IN, AND RENEW ILLINOIS’ ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE
The Illinois Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Act is a bold and visionary proposal to expand and deploy renewable energy technologies at existing power plant sites across the central and southern Illinois. The plan calls for the reinvestment of over $450 million at 10 power plants to immediately develop approximately 300 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar projects and approximately 150 MW of new energy storage facilities. This investment will support approximately 2,000 union construction jobs and provide a new or enhanced tax base for local plant communities for decades to come.
The renewable and emission-free electricity infrastructure will be located at the site of repurposed or existing coal power plants and will start coming online as early as 2022/2023 and no later than 2025. Currently, Illinois only has approximately 40 MW of large-scale solar facilities and 130 MW of energy storage capacity. The Act incentivizes an immediate infusion of over $450 million in renewable energy infrastructure across central and southern Illinois to increase the state’s renewable energy portfolio and help achieve its emission reduction commitments.
RETAIN, REPURPOSE, AND REINVEST IN PLANTS ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
The Illinois Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Act is a reasonable and affordable plan that balances the need to retain in-state generation for a period of time with the opportunity for communities, which have been part of Illinois’ energy economy for decades, to participate and benefit from the shift to renewable and emission-free generation. The Coal to Solar and Energy Act is a responsible, affordable plan to Renew Illinois’ Power:
Help Illinois Become A National Leader In Utility-Scale Solar And Energy Storage
Stimulate Illinois’ Green And Renewable Energy Economy With An Immediate Investment of $450 Million
Greatly Increase The Amount Of Zero- Emission Generation With More Than 300 MW Of Utility-Scale Solar By ‘22/’23
Responsibly Retain In-State Generation Capacity To Allow For Additional Sources To Come Online By 2025
THE ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN
The Illinois Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Act is a reasonable and affordable plan that balances the need to retain in-state generation and provide communities that were part of Illinois’ energy economy for decades, an opportunity to participate and benefit from the shift to renewable and emission-free generation.
RESPONSIBLY RETAINING EXISTING DOWNSTATE COAL PLANTS
For a variety of longstanding factors, between 2015 and 2022 approximately 4,700 MW – enough power for 2.3 million homes – of electricity generation capacity has closed or will close in the downstate Illinois MISO Zone 4 market. The Act has a transition plan, tied to market prices, to keep 2,200 MW of existing in-state generation capacity that is at-risk of premature closure in operation through 2025. This gives more time for additional in-state renewable generation to be planned and built. In 2025, market conditions and other policy decisions will determine the future of the remaining legacy coal plants.
PROVIDING CERTAINTY ENERGY WORKERS AND PLANT COMMUNITIES
Retaining up to 2,200 MW of at-risk generation through 2025, while reinvesting over $450 million in renewable and emission-free utility-scale solar and energy storage, provides certainty and opportunity for communities in central and southern Illinois as the state embarks on a new energy future.
Reinvesting in operating or retired coal plants with new utility-scale solar and energy storage will ensure that plants that have been a leading source of property tax revenue for local communities will remain viable, income-producing businesses for decades to come.