While the nation in general is taking steps to re-emphasize traditional power generation, such as coal and gas, some states are not giving up on initiatives to advance clean energy, including solar, storage, wind, and even nuclear.

In early January, Illinois passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA). Building upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA is designed to expand cost-saving energy resources and continue to grow the state’s clean energy economy across the state.

Since the passage CEJA, Illinois has supported more than six gigawatts of renewable energy (enough to power roughly 4.5 million homes), with an additional six gigawatts currently under development.

The state ranks fifth in the nation for wind power generation, which has nearly tripled over the last decade. Illinois also ranks second in the Midwest for solar generation. Furthermore, the state continues to be the nation’s top nuclear energy producer and exports approximately one-fifth of its electricity to other states.

By addressing energy capacity needs, CRGA is designed to make strides to increase the available electricity supply. It will:

– Establish a state procurement of 3GW of grid-scale battery storage by 2030.

– Lift the moratorium on new, large nuclear reactors.

– Require utilities to create “Virtual Power Plant” programs that pay participating households and businesses to harness smart thermostats, solar panels, small batteries, and electric vehicles. It will also expand energy efficiency programs to help households and businesses lower their energy use, and in turn, their energy bills.

– Require utilities to offer time-of-use pricing to allow residential customers to pay less for power used outside of peak times.

The legislation will also:

– Encourage community-driven clean energy projects, such as increasing the maximum size for community solar projects to 10MW.

– Extend clean energy siting reforms to storage projects, such as allowing the ICC to accelerate renewable energy projects before federal tax credits expire.

– Establish a Solar Bill of Rights, ensuring that state residents served by municipal and cooperative utilities can install rooftop solar panels.

CRGA will take effect June 1, 2026.