The following bills of interest to the energy industry have been introduced into the 100th Illinois General Assembly for consideration during its Spring 2017 session:
Senate Bill 71 (Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park) – Amended in committee; would now clarify certification procedures for wind power installers. Approved by the Senate Energy Committee. On Second Reading in the Senate.
Senate Bill 611 (Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Champaign) – would establish the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Task Force to address the issue of maintaining clean drinking water for communities served by the Mahomet Aquifer. Approved by the Senate Environment Committee. On Second Reading in the Senate.
Senate Bill 1381 Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago) – would make significant changes in the Telecommunications Act designed to modernize much of the state’s telecommunications system, especially voice communications. Approved by the Senate Telecommunications and Information Technology Committee. On Second Reading in the Senate.
Senate Bill 1383 (Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Peru) – would have amended various sections of the state’s Underground Utility Facilities Damage Protection Act, which sets standards for excavation near underground utility facilities. Amended in committee to become a shell bill in the same subject matter area. Approved by the Senate Energy Committee. On Second Reading in the Senate. Companion bill to House Bill 3634 (Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg), which has been re-assigned from the House Executive Committee to the House Rules Committee.
House Bill 2952 (Rep. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine) – would require the Illinois Commerce Commission to change its rules regarding cost recovery for natural gas main extensions. After a subject matter hearing, the bill was re-assigned from the House Public Utilities Committee to the House Rules Committee.
House Bill 3042 (Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville) – would create a grant program to stimulate development of clean coal technology power generation. The grant program is subject to legislative appropriations. Approved by the House Energy Committee. On Second Reading in the House of Representatives.