clean energy Archives | Citizens Utility Board

CUB Q&A: Solar and EE tax credits are being phased out–so what now?

Jim Chilsen — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 18:39:05 +0000

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CUB joins legislative champions in Springfield to urge passage of Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act

Jim Chilsen — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 17:07:48 +0000

With consumers and the power grid facing unprecedented threats–including price spikes, surging demand sparked by data centers, and poor regional policy–legislative champions joined with consumer advocates on Tuesday to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB2473/HB3779). Please: Act now to protect our power bills and our power grid: Urge Springfield to support the CRGA Act. Watch the livestream of Tuesday’s Springfield news conference in which CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz and other supporters explain why the CRGA Act is needed. Here’s the situation: Illinois’ power grid is struggling to keep pace with a surge in demand for energy, largely caused by data centers. Yet, at a time when clean, affordable energy is most needed, power grid operators in Illinois–Regional Transmission Organizations PJM Interconnection and and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)–are years behind schedule in connecting clean energy projects to the grid that could power millions of homes. As a result, Illinois electric customers are increasingly threatened with poor grid reliability and unexpected price spikes–including one about to hit ComEd customers on June 1. Illinois passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in 2021, historic, nation-leading legislation that aims for 100 percent clean energy by 2050. But with these unprecedented threats, consumer and environmental advocates want to build on the progress of CEJA by passing the CRGA Act. “Too often Illinois electricity customers face price spikes because of poor policy from power grid operators PJM and MISO,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) was a historic step toward 100 percent clean, affordable energy, but our work isn’t done. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is urgently needed legislation that builds on CEJA and is good for our power grid and good for our power bills.” The CRGA Act offers a comprehensive suite of commonsense solutions to meet the challenges facing our electric grid while prioritizing affordability for consumers. Among many provisions, the CRGA Act would: Strengthen energy efficiency by increasing the access to rebates to weatherize homes and purchase efficient appliances like HVAC systems and water heaters. Requires new large-scale data centers to cover their own grid interconnection costs and energy needs and bring in new clean energy. It also creates a process for regulators to set rules ensuring residential electric customers are not harmed by these energy-guzzling facilities. Strengthen the power grid by promoting improvements to transmission infrastructure, maximize the amount of clean electricity power lines can carry (through grid-enhancing technologies), and reduce bottlenecks in the process to develop and improve transmission lines. Expand clean, affordable energy by launching an Energy Storage Procurement Program, which directs the Illinois Power Agency to create a long-term energy storage procurement plan to meet future energy goals, and give more households, nonprofit groups and public facilities access to battery storage. (Battery storage is important because it can store solar and wind energy for use even during times when clean energy isn’t being produced.) Launch a “virtual power plant” initiative to pool thousands of small solar and storage projects to replace dirty, outdated, and expensive power […]

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CUB supporters supply great photos for Clean Energy Action Month contest–and one lucky participant wins a gift card!

Jim Chilsen — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 21:56:31 +0000

Congratulations to Paul from LaGrange for being randomly selected to win a $100 gift card as part of CUB’s Clean Energy Action Month photo contest. “I’m surprised!” Paul exclaimed. And thanks to all the CUB supporter who gave us great photos. In honor of Clean Energy Action Month, CUB held the contest throughout the month of October. We asked CUB supporters to take a photo of themselves or family members with a clean energy item–anything from super-efficient light bulbs to solar panels to wind turbines. (We promised to randomly select one entrant to win a gift card to a home-improvement store on Nov. 1–and that’s how Paul won.) CUB urged people to be creative and have fun–and Paul took the guidance to heart, sending along a lightbulb joke with the snapshot of himself and a new LED. “How many Psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?” he wrote. “Only one, but the bulb must want to change!” As a retired auditor for the Illinois State Board of Education, Paul told CUB: “I came to understand the value and importance of the thankless job of ‘watching the store.’ (Seems everybody wants accountability, but nobody wants to be checked.)” When he retired, Paul said he headed up his AFSCME union’s local “retiree sub-chapter” and often invited CUB speakers to give helpful, money-saving tips at their meetings. “In a world where we so often find we have problems we can’t do anything about, the Citizens Utility Board is an idea that let’s any of us participate in helping our state government tackle the huge job of providing the necessary regulating of useful monopolies,” Paul wrote. “Some believe that only ‘the Market’ can do this, but this idea throws away the economies of scale that well regulated utilities provide.” Not everyone could win a gift card, like Paul, but CUB’s communications team bestowed some of our own awards on the gallery of photos we received. Most Creative Use of Photoshop Award: Jim from Berwyn. Jim sent in a drone photo of the solar system he had installed four years ago through a group-buy program that CUB promotes. He used Photoshop to insert himself, with walking staff, on the roof, overlooking his panels. “Not sure if that’s acceptable,” Jim writes, “but that would be the only way you would get me up on a roof. (I’m a really ‘scardy cat’ when it comes to heights!)” (Note: We bent the rules and accepted your submission. We commend you on your entertaining use of Photoshop. The CUB staff got a big kick out of your photo!) Jim adds that he takes the “environment and trying to do good for it seriously.” In fact, he looks forward to using Inflation Reduction Act rebates to replace his 30-year-old gas water heater with an electric hybrid heater, and he is considering getting a heat pump HVAC system as well as a heat pump clothes dryer. “If I could do that, then I could SHUT OFF my GAS service, which would be awesome!” he writes. He’d also like to add more solar panels to his current system. Carry on, Jim. Good […]

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CUB Q&A: What’s happening to solar power in Illinois in 2025?

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:10:51 +0000

A solar benefit called “net metering” is NOT going away in 2025, but it is changing, under state law. What is net metering? Net metering is a benefit for solar users. Under Illinois law, investor-owned utilities (ComEd, Ameren, MidAmerican) are required to offer net metering for renewable energy generation (such as solar power). This means anytime the solar panels a consumer installs generate more power than the household needs, that consumer can sell that excess electricity back to the utility and receive electric bill credits. The utility will only charge the solar customer for the net amount of electricity consumed, plus any other fixed delivery charges (such as the customer charge, standard metering charge, delivery service cost adjustment). It used to be difficult for solar users in Illinois to sell excess power back to the utility, but in 2008 legislation took effect that simplified the process. So what’s happening in 2025? On Jan. 1, 2025, the net metering benefit is being reduced for Illinois residents who decide to install solar panels on their homes. Two important points: The benefit is being reduced for new solar customers only. Illinois consumers who already have solar panels on their homes will continue to get the full net metering benefit over the life of their system. While the benefit is being reduced, it is still a benefit, and solar is still a good deal for Illinois consumers. How will the net metering benefit change after 2025? Net metering currently gives 1:1 per kilowatt-hour credits on these parts of your electric bills: Supply, Delivery and taxes and fees. If you have solar panels on your home now: You are guaranteed this current version of net metering for the lifetime of your system (defined, under net metering regulations, as 30 years from the date the solar installation received permission to operate). That means you will continue to have this full benefit on all three sections of your bill. If you install solar panels after Jan. 1, 2025 a few significant changes: Net metering credits will be applied to the Supply section of your bill only, rather than all three sections. You also will be eligible for a “Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate.” The rebate requires the use of a smart inverter (equipment that helps transfer electricity from the solar panels to your home) and the value of the rebate will depend on the size of your installation. (Under law, the value of the rebate will be at least $300 per kilowatt of generating capacity.) Your net metering credits will not be subject to an annual reset or zeroing out. This means, your excess net metering credits will roll over month to month and never expire. (Note: Current net metering customers not on Hourly Pricing and who have not taken the DG Rebate will continue to see an annual expiration on their excess rollover credits.) To summarize, this new system means customers who install solar panels after Jan. 1, 2025 will receive 1) a larger benefit upfront; 2) a reduced net metering benefit throughout the lifetime of the system; and 3) credits that never expire. If […]

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Hourly Pricing program sets record for savings in 2023

Jim Chilsen — Sat, 04 May 2024 21:13:51 +0000

A voluntary ComEd program that charges participants an electricity rate that can change hourly set a record for savings in 2023, according to a report filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The Hourly Pricing program saved participants a total of $12.4 million in 2023, which was more than the previous five years combined (2018-2022). “Participants set records across all measurable savings metrics in 2023,” the report said. “The high rate of savings underscores the value proposition of Hourly Pricing and can largely be attributed to stability in the energy market.” Other statistics: 99.3 percent of nearly 40,000 participants saved. Participants averaged savings of $313 (44 percent). Overall, the program has saved consumers $41.4 million. The program, which was launched in 2007 after the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation requiring utilities to offer it, gives ComEd customers the option of choosing a different way to pay for electricity. It charges participants a supply rate that can change on an hourly basis, instead of the standard price that stays the same 24/7. The program also helps reduce demand for expensive and pollution-causing power plants, and it can help prevent power outages by reducing stress on the electricity system during “peak” times, when power usage and prices are at their highest. “This is great news about the Hourly Pricing program,” said CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz, who herself has saved hundreds of dollars over her time on the Hourly Pricing program. “It’s further proof that programs good for the planet are also good for our utility bills.” Moskowitz encouraged people to read CUB’s fact sheet on Hourly Pricing and see if they are a good fit for the program. Illinois has been a trailblazer–it was first in the country to launch a statewide residential hourly pricing program. Ameren Illinois offers a similar program, called Power Smart Pricing, but this report deals with ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program only. The charts below display the 2023 results for Hourly Pricing:

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Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition unveils 2024 legislative platform

Jim Chilsen — Sat, 04 May 2024 20:37:23 +0000

The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), of which CUB is a member, has introduced its 2024 platform—a slate of legislation outlining critical solutions in the power, buildings, and transportation sectors that accelerate Illinois’ climate, equity, and energy goals. (Read the ICJC’s full release and watch the Springfield news conference.) In the ICJC Platform, the Clean and Reliable Grid Act (SB3637), Clean and Healthy Buildings Act, and Clean and Equitable Transportation Act work together to tackle issues that impact Illinoisans in every facet of daily life. The Clean and Reliable Grid Act expedites our path to 100 percent clean renewable energy and strengthens the capacity and reliability of our electric grid. “Illinois is already a leader on climate justice and workforce transition, but we still have work to do to secure a resilient, affordable power grid operating on 100 percent clean energy. We know that power grids in Illinois and across the country are outdated, inefficient, and increasingly vulnerable in extreme weather events, which are all the more common due to the effects of climate change,” said Representative Ann Williams, Chairwoman of the Energy and Environment Committee. “With the implementation of the Clean and Reliable Grid Act, we will reduce barriers to building necessary transmission lines, maximize energy efficiency policies, and offer customers options to save money on electricity. These sensible policies will support Illinois’ carbon reduction goals in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and enable us to rapidly modernize and electrify the buildings and transportation sectors. The Clean and Reliable Grid Act will ensure our electric grid is strong, reliable, and affordable so that we can tackle these new horizons in our clean energy economy.” By improving Illinois’ electric grid and speeding up the approval and connection of clean energy projects, Illinois will be ready to capitalize on the benefits of transitioning the heating systems and appliances that power homes and buildings to clean energy. The Clean and Healthy Buildings Act will require gas utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, require the Illinois Commerce Commission to embed affordability into ratemaking and decision-making, and help people lower their gas bills through gas energy efficiency standards. “Just last year, following record-setting profits, all major Illinois gas utility companies sought historic rate hikes that resulted in a $813 million increase in utility customers’ annual bills. These rate hikes are particularly egregious when you consider dirty gas’s impact on our health and climate,” said State Sen. Celina Villanueva. “Not only are fossil fuels expensive, but burning them in our homes produces benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical, and has been linked to childhood asthma, which is more prevalent in communities of color. Decarbonizing our heavily polluting buildings sector is the next urgent opportunity in climate action, and Illinois can once again lead the nation in equitable climate policy by passing the Clean and Healthy Buildings Act.” While buildings contribute significantly to Illinois’ climate pollution, transportation is the state’s largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions source. The Clean and Equitable Transportation Act addresses vehicle pollution, going beyond electrifying vehicles to include comprehensive solutions. “Sustainable transportation must be made a priority — it supports livable, walkable communities; enables equitable and […]

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CUB helps Sugar Grove couple secure a solar victory

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 23:11:57 +0000

We wish you a Happy Earth Day. It’s the perfect day to share this story about a victory in helping people secure clean and affordable energy in Illinois: Becky and Mike just wanted to install solar panels, but a local ordinance banning panels on front- or street-facing roofs threatened to block 20 percent of their project, and an estimated $10,000 in potential savings. The Sugar Grove couple didn’t give up–they got to work. They paid $765 to file a petition to change the local zoning code, and spent about eight months researching solar law, attending public meetings and sparking other solar supporters to send letters urging the village board to change the rule. And on a recent night in Sugar Grove, it all paid off–the Village Board voted to change the code! Scott Allen, CUB’s renewable energy policy coordinator, spoke in support of Becky and Mike on TV and at the village meeting. “Everybody take note that organizing, and showing up and talking to your elected officials works,” Scott said in a celebratory video filmed with Becky and Mike after the meeting. Kudos to you, Becky and Mike. And thanks to all of you who support CUB’s advocacy. We’ve got a lot of work to do to make sure everyone has access to clean and affordable energy–but stories like this give us hope. Help support more victories for clean and affordable energy.

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Take part in our clean energy scavenger hunt, you could win big!

Elizabeth — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 21:00:08 +0000

For Energy Awareness Month, we’re holding a “Clean Energy Scavenger Hunt” for a chance to win $100. Fossil fuel prices are skyrocketing right now, but we hope this challenge is a positive reminder of how energy efficiency and other clean energy efforts can lower bills. And one lucky person will be randomly selected to win $100 off their utility bills! Here’s how to enter: Take a photo of yourself, your pet or a family member (be creative!) with one of the following clean energy items: Your electric vehicle (EV) or an EV charger in your community Energy efficient appliance in your home (smart thermostat, or any appliance with the Energy Star label: light bulb, fridge, microwave, etc.) Solar panel in your community Wind turbine Fill out the form here, and then send your picture by replying to the thank you email you get. We will use the best photos we get on CUB’s social media platforms. The deadline to enter is midnight Oct. 31, and we will announce a winner Nov. 1.

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Illinois solar energy is spreading thanks to group buy programs

Elizabeth — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 18:50:14 +0000

Thanks to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re in an exciting time for solar energy in Illinois. With our partner the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, the Grow Solar group buy program is helping property owners across Illinois take the first steps toward lower electricity bills with rooftop solar. “Now is a perfect time to consider going solar,” says Marina Minic, CUB Solar Programs Administrator. “Adding solar panels can lower your energy bills right away, and unlike utility companies, those panels will never raise their rates.” A solar group-buy program is where people interested in installing solar panels can enjoy volume discounts. In addition to offering a lower base price for solar panels, the Grow Solar program has a series of price breaks as the program hits participation benchmarks. (On top of that, state and federal incentives can cover up to 70 percent of the cost of going solar.) Grow Solar Chicagoland, which is open to property owners in Cook, Will, DuPage, Lake and Kane counties, has reached its first benchmark of 50 kilowatts and nearing its second of 300 kW. While the group buy program is still open to new participants, the final day to start the process by requesting a site assessment will be Sept. 30, 2022 and the sign-up deadline has been extended to Nov. 9. Meanwhile, Grow Solar Urbana-Champaign has already reached its second volume discount benchmark of 100 kilowatts of new solar projects, leading consumers to unlock the second tier of savings. The program is open to property owners in Champaign, Piatt, and Vermilion Counties. With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, there are even more reasons to consider going solar. “This new legislation has many great provisions to help homeowners lower their energy costs,” says Marta Monti, Grow Solar Program Manager at the MREA. “The federal tax credit for new solar arrays has been extended and raised to 30%. By combining that tax credit with our group buy rebates and Illinois’ Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), property owners can save up to 70% on the cost of a new solar system.” If you’ve missed out on past Solar Power Hour events, watch a replay here on the Grow Solar Facebook Page. For more information on solar energy: See Grow Solar Chicagoland and Grow Solar Urbana-Champaign for more group-buy information. Visit CUB’s Clean Energy page. Read CUB’s Introduction to Rooftop Solar factsheet. See CUB’s Solar in the Community page for information on a solar energy option for renters.

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Here’s what Illinois consumers need to know about Inflation Reduction Act clean energy benefits

Elizabeth — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 21:00:03 +0000

Now that the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been signed into law, many consumers are wondering how they can benefit from the money-saving, clean energy provisions in the bill. The IRA represents much needed relief at a time when 1 in 6 homes in America are behind on their utility payments. Below are the major ways consumers can take advantage of the new legislation: Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Each year for the next decade, consumers can claim a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of qualified projects that make their home less drafty or improve energy efficiency, to an annual limit of $1,200 credit. These incentives include: Up to $600 for highly efficient central air conditioners; electric panel upgrades; and water heaters, furnaces and water boilers that run on natural gas, propane or oil. These products must meet Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s highest efficiency tier. Up to $150 for a home energy audit $600 for new energy-efficient exterior windows or skylights $500 for exterior doors Heat Pumps and wood burning stoves If you purchase an energy-efficient electric or heat pump for space heating and cooling or a heat pump water heater, you qualify for 30 percent tax credits up to $2,000. Tax credits are also available for highly rated stoves and boilers that generate heat from burning wood or other biomass feedstocks. The credits for heat pumps or biomass stoves and boilers don’t count against the $1,200 annual limit for the home energy efficiency tax credit detailed in the previous section. Electrification rebates The Inflation Reduction Act includes $4.5 billion over 10 years for state and tribal programs that discount or fund electrification and efficiency projects or appliances for lower and moderate-income households. The bill defines lower-income households by annual incomes less than 80 percent of the area median income. Moderate income is defined by annual income no greater than 150 percent of the median. (Learn how to find your area median income.) The lowest-income households are eligible for point-of-sale rebates covering the full cost of certain electrical appliances or efficiency projects. Moderate-income individuals and families can get half off. The cumulative rebates available to each household total $14,000. The law sets rebate caps for selected electric product classes. There is up to $8,000 available for purchasing space heating and cooling heat pumps. For heat pump water heaters, the maximum is $1,750. For electric stoves, it’s $840. The high-efficiency electric home rebates should also cover half or all the cost of upgrading electric panels up to a $4,000 limit. Other covered services are electrical work, with a $2,500 maximum, and insulation projects, up to $1,600. Solar, batteries and geothermal Thanks to the new law, the existing 22 percent solar panel tax credit has been immediately bumped to 30 percent for the next decade. This tax credit is available now, so it’s a great time to look into your local solar group-buy programs, like Grow Solar Chicagoland. There’s also a tax credit for home battery units with more than 3 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity, allowing the benefits of solar generation to stretch into shorter winter days. For […]

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