103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB5610 Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Provides that an electrical corporation which operates in the State shall upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems in order to achieve the State's decarbonization standards. Provides that an electrical corporation shall be adequately staffed and recruit, train, and retain further staff as needed. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish reasonable average and maximum target energization time periods. Provides that the Commission shall establish requirements for an electrical corporation to report to the Commission, at least annually, to track and improve electrical corporation performance. Provides that the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to establish a dedicated electrification team. Sets forth requirements for an electrical corporation to consider when engaging in the annual distribution planning process. Provides that, in its site evaluation and design process, the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to consider flexible interconnection to defer or mitigate energization-related grid upgrades, but, if the solutions cannot defer or mitigate an upgrade, the corporation may evaluate traditional system upgrades. Provides that an electrical corporation may recover costs. Effective immediately. LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB5610 Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Provides that an electrical corporation which operates in the State shall upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems in order to achieve the State's decarbonization standards. Provides that an electrical corporation shall be adequately staffed and recruit, train, and retain further staff as needed. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish reasonable average and maximum target energization time periods. Provides that the Commission shall establish requirements for an electrical corporation to report to the Commission, at least annually, to track and improve electrical corporation performance. Provides that the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to establish a dedicated electrification team. Sets forth requirements for an electrical corporation to consider when engaging in the annual distribution planning process. Provides that, in its site evaluation and design process, the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to consider flexible interconnection to defer or mitigate energization-related grid upgrades, but, if the solutions cannot defer or mitigate an upgrade, the corporation may evaluate traditional system upgrades. Provides that an electrical corporation may recover costs. Effective immediately. LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB5610 Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act New Act Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Provides that an electrical corporation which operates in the State shall upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems in order to achieve the State's decarbonization standards. Provides that an electrical corporation shall be adequately staffed and recruit, train, and retain further staff as needed. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish reasonable average and maximum target energization time periods. Provides that the Commission shall establish requirements for an electrical corporation to report to the Commission, at least annually, to track and improve electrical corporation performance. Provides that the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to establish a dedicated electrification team. Sets forth requirements for an electrical corporation to consider when engaging in the annual distribution planning process. Provides that, in its site evaluation and design process, the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to consider flexible interconnection to defer or mitigate energization-related grid upgrades, but, if the solutions cannot defer or mitigate an upgrade, the corporation may evaluate traditional system upgrades. Provides that an electrical corporation may recover costs. Effective immediately. LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b A BILL FOR HB5610LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 AN ACT concerning State government. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 5 Powering Up Illinois Act. 6 Section 5. Definitions. In this Act: 7 "Electrification" means any new use of electricity, 8 expanded use of electricity, or change in use of electricity, 9 including, but not limited to, in the industrial, commercial, 10 agricultural, housing, or transportation sectors. 11 "Energization" and "energize" means connecting new 12 customers to the electrical grid, establishing adequate 13 electrical capacity to provide service for a new customer, or 14 upgrading electrical capacity to provide upgraded service to 15 an existing customer. The terms "energization" and "energize" 16 do not include activities related to connecting electricity 17 supply resources. 18 "Energization time period" means the elapsed time 19 beginning when the electrical corporation receives a 20 substantially complete energization project application and 21 ending when the electric service is installed and energized. 22 Section 10. Findings. The General Assembly finds and 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB5610 Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act New Act Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Provides that an electrical corporation which operates in the State shall upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems in order to achieve the State's decarbonization standards. Provides that an electrical corporation shall be adequately staffed and recruit, train, and retain further staff as needed. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish reasonable average and maximum target energization time periods. Provides that the Commission shall establish requirements for an electrical corporation to report to the Commission, at least annually, to track and improve electrical corporation performance. Provides that the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to establish a dedicated electrification team. Sets forth requirements for an electrical corporation to consider when engaging in the annual distribution planning process. Provides that, in its site evaluation and design process, the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to consider flexible interconnection to defer or mitigate energization-related grid upgrades, but, if the solutions cannot defer or mitigate an upgrade, the corporation may evaluate traditional system upgrades. Provides that an electrical corporation may recover costs. Effective immediately. LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b A BILL FOR New Act LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 2 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 2 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 2 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 declares all of the following: 2 (1) It is the policy of the State to increase the use 3 of electric vehicles in the State to 1,000,000 by 2030. 4 That expanded infrastructure investment will help Illinois 5 more rapidly decarbonize the transportation sector. 6 Widespread use of electric vehicles and charging equipment 7 has the potential to provide customers with fuel cost 8 savings and provide electric utility customers with 9 cost-saving benefits. Widespread use of electric vehicles 10 stimulates innovation, competition, and increased choices 11 in charging equipment and networks and also attracts 12 private capital investments and creates high-quality jobs 13 in Illinois. Accelerating the adoption of electric 14 vehicles will drive the decarbonization of Illinois' 15 transportation sector. To meet these goals and federal, 16 State, regional, and local air quality and decarbonization 17 standards, plans, and regulations, a large increase in 18 both the quantity of electricity used and the functions 19 for which electricity will be used is needed. 20 (2) To meet these decarbonization goals as well as 21 federal, State, regional, and local air quality and 22 decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations, the 23 State's electrical distribution systems must be 24 substantially upgraded, new customers must promptly 25 connect to the electrical distribution system, and 26 existing customers must have their service level promptly HB5610 - 2 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 3 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 3 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 3 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 upgraded. 2 (3) There are many reports of large housing 3 developments that are unable to be promptly energized. The 4 State has an urgent need to increase its supply of 5 housing, requiring both new electrical distribution 6 capacity and the prompt energization of new housing. 7 (4) There are many reports of individual customers who 8 are unable to have their electrical service promptly 9 upgraded or energized and charging stations for 10 light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and 11 off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and equipment that are 12 unable to be promptly energized. These delays may inhibit 13 the State's ability to meet its decarbonization goals and 14 federal, State, regional, and local air quality and 15 decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations. 16 (5) To improve the speed at which energization and 17 service upgrades are performed, electrical corporations 18 that distribute electricity must do both of the following: 19 (A) improve their advance planning, engineering, 20 and construction of increased distribution and 21 transmission system capacity; and 22 (B) preorder transformers, switchgear, and other 23 needed equipment. 24 (6) Electrifying transportation and buildings can put 25 downward pressure on rates by spreading fixed costs over 26 more kilowatt-hours of usage. HB5610 - 3 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 4 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 4 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 4 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 (7) Delays in energization, including service 2 upgrades, are costly both to the customers awaiting 3 service and to other customers who are deprived of the 4 downward pressure on rates. 5 (8) To carry out the planning, engineering, and 6 construction of electrical distribution systems needed to 7 promptly serve customers, electrical corporations that 8 distribute electricity must recruit, train, and retain an 9 adequately sized, qualified workforce. 10 (9) The Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish 11 target deadlines for utilities that distribute electricity 12 to energize new customers and upgrade the service of 13 existing customers. 14 (10) The Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish 15 reporting requirements for electrical corporations that 16 distribute electricity to report the extent to which they 17 comply with the target deadlines and the reasons for any 18 noncompliance. 19 Section 15. Electrical distribution system upgrades. An 20 electrical corporation that operates within the State shall: 21 (1) upgrade the State's electrical distribution 22 systems as needed and in time to achieve the State's 23 decarbonization goals, and implement federal, State, 24 regional, and local air quality and decarbonization 25 standards, plans, and regulations; HB5610 - 4 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 5 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 5 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 5 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 (2) comply with the obligation of the electrical 2 corporation to serve by conducting sufficient advance 3 planning, engineering, and construction of increased 4 distribution of system capacity and by preordering 5 transformers and other needed equipment so that customers 6 can be energized without substantial delay; 7 (3) promptly energize new customers, including by 8 ensuring that new housing, new businesses, and new 9 charging for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty 10 vehicles and off-road vehicles, vessels, trains, and 11 equipment can be used without delay caused by a failure of 12 the utility to implement energization projects; 13 (4) promptly upgrade service when needed by customers; 14 and 15 (5) recruit, train, and retain an adequately sized and 16 qualified workforce to carry out the planning, 17 engineering, and construction of electrical distribution 18 systems needed to promptly serve customers seeking 19 energization and service upgrades without sacrificing 20 other necessary activities of the workforce. 21 Section 20. Illinois Commerce Commission requirements. 22 (a) On or before 180 days after the effective date of this 23 Act, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall: 24 (1) Establish reasonable average and maximum target 25 energization time periods. The targets shall ensure that HB5610 - 5 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 6 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 6 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 6 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 work is completed in a manner that minimizes delay in 2 meeting the date requested by the customer for completion 3 of the project to the greatest extent possible and 4 prioritizes work in a manner consistent with Sections 10 5 and 15 of this Act. The targets may vary depending on the 6 complexity and magnitude of the work required and 7 uncertainties regarding the readiness of the customer 8 project needing energization. The targets may also 9 recognize any factors beyond the electrical corporation's 10 control. 11 (2) Establish requirements for an electrical 12 corporation to report to the Illinois Commerce Commission, 13 at least annually, in order to track and improve 14 electrical corporation performance. The report shall 15 include the average, median, and standard deviation time 16 between receiving an application for energizing the 17 electrical service, explanations for energization time 18 periods that exceed the target maximum for energization 19 projects, constraints, and obstacles to each type of 20 energization, including, but not limited to, funding 21 limitations, qualified staffing availability, or equipment 22 availability, and any other information requested by the 23 Illinois Commerce Commission. 24 (3) Establish a procedure for customers to report 25 energization delays to the Illinois Commerce Commission. 26 (b) If energization time periods exceed the Commission's HB5610 - 6 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 7 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 7 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 7 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 target averages, or if the electrical corporation has a 2 substantial number of energization projects that exceed the 3 Commission's target maximums, the electrical corporation shall 4 include in its report pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection 5 (a) a strategy for meeting the targets in the future. The 6 Commission may request modification of the electrical 7 corporation's strategy to ensure that the electrical 8 corporation meets targets promptly and consistent with the 9 policies set forth in Section 10. 10 (c) Data reported by electrical corporations shall be 11 anonymized or averaged data to the extent necessary to prevent 12 identifying individual customers. The Commission shall require 13 all reports to be publicly available. 14 (d) The Commission shall require the electrical 15 corporation to take any remedial actions necessary to achieve 16 the Commission's targets, including the use of incentives or 17 penalties. 18 Section 25. Electrification team; staffing. 19 (a) The Commission shall require each electrical 20 corporation to establish a dedicated electrification team that 21 shall, at a minimum, do the following: 22 (1) serve as a single point of contact for customers 23 throughout the entire energization process; 24 (2) proactively engage with customers to understand 25 and support electrification plans; and HB5610 - 7 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 8 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 8 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 8 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 (3) consolidate all transportation electrification 2 customer programs, accounts and relevant information to 3 support electrification and the energization process. 4 (b) The Commission shall require each electrical 5 corporation to have adequate qualified staffing needed for the 6 electrification team to be consistent with the findings and 7 achieve the policies and requirements of this Act. 8 (c) For job classifications that have apprentice training 9 requirements, the Commission shall require each electrical 10 corporation to maintain a pipeline of apprentices sufficient 11 to meet future qualified staffing needs, subject to any 12 limitations based on safe staffing ratios. 13 (d) As part of each report required pursuant to paragraph 14 (2) of subsection (a) of Section 20, and in each general rate 15 case application, each electrical corporation shall include a 16 detailed analysis of its current qualified staffing level and 17 future required qualified staffing level for each job 18 classification needed to achieve the policies and requirements 19 of this Act. 20 Section 30. Electrical corporation requirements. The 21 Commission shall require an electrical corporation to do the 22 following: 23 (1) consider, in its annual distribution planning process, 24 all of the following: 25 (A) federal, State, regional, and local air quality HB5610 - 8 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 9 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 9 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 9 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 and decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations; 2 (B) the transportation and building electrification 3 policies of State law; 4 (C) State agency, local agency, and local government 5 plans and requirements related to housing, economic 6 development, critical facilities, transportation, and 7 building electrification; and 8 (D) load and electrification forecasts that include 9 the following: 10 (i) known load and projections of load conducted 11 by State agencies, and projections of load that exceed 12 forecasts conducted by State agencies, including the 13 Commission-led study as required by this Act; 14 (ii) includes a minimum of 3 time horizons 15 including short (1 to 2 years), medium (3 to 5 years), 16 and long-term (6 to 10 years); 17 (iii) includes multiple scenarios including 18 business-as-usual, meeting climate goals, and low, 19 medium, and high electrification; 20 (iv) hourly, feeder-level forecasts; and 21 (v) a consideration of the impact of distributed 22 energy resource forecasts and specifically, local 23 generation. 24 (2) Consider, in its site evaluation and design process, 25 all of the following: 26 (A) flexible interconnection such as automated load HB5610 - 9 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610- 10 -LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 10 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b HB5610 - 10 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b 1 management, managed charging, and distributed energy 2 resources to defer or mitigate energization-related grid 3 upgrades; and 4 (B) if the above solutions cannot defer or mitigate an 5 upgrade, the electrical corporation may evaluate 6 traditional system upgrades. 7 (3) Adopt and implement rules and regulations to satisfy 8 the policies set forth in Section 20 and to meet the 9 energization time periods established pursuant to paragraph 10 (1) of subsection (a) of Section 20. 11 Section 35. Recovery of costs. The Commission shall ensure 12 that electrical corporations have sufficient and timely 13 recovery of costs to be consistent with the findings and 14 achieve the policies and requirements of this Act, including 15 for emergent electrification projects. HB5610 - 10 - LRB103 38958 CES 69095 b