The following bills of interest to the energy industry have been filed in the 101st Illinois General Assembly, which is now in its second Spring Session:

Senate Bill 135 (Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria) – proposed amendments have been filed (but not yet approved) that would create the Competitive Clean Energy Act which would eliminate all carbon emissions from the state’s power supply by 2050 as well as minimize consumer and community impacts from closure of fossil-fuel electric generation facilities. On 3rd Reading in the Senate. Companion bill to House Bill 125 (Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan).

Senate Bill 1781 (Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago) – would implement a plan designed to lead the state to a 100 percent clean energy future, relying largely on solar energy development. Re-referred to Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to House Bill 2966 (Rep. Will Da-vis, D-East Hazel Crest).

Senate Bill 2132 (Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin) – companion bill to HB 3624. Would make numerous energy policy changes. The bill is a proposal of the Clean Jobs Coalition and touches on renewable energy, energy efficiency and most major areas of the energy industry. Re-referred to Senate Assignments Committee.

House Bill 2861 (Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet) – would make changes relating to nuclear power plants and capacity markets. Re-referred to House Rules Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 660 (Sen. Antonio Munoz, D-Chicago).

House Bill 3624 (Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago) – compan-ion bill to SB 2132. The bill is a proposal of the Clean Jobs Coalition and touches on renewable energy, energy efficiency and most major areas of the energy industry. Approved as amend-ed by House Energy & Envi-ronment Committee. On 2nd Reading in the House.

House Bill 3987 (Rep. Mark Batnick, R-Plainfield) – would prohibit utility recovery of costs in purchasing zero emission credits from clean energy generation sources. Assigned to House Public Utilities Com-mittee.

House Bill 5363 (Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet) – would establish a formula rates ratemaking methodology for natural gas utilities. Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 3696 (Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora).

House Bill 5663 (Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr., D-Chicago) -- would establish a Illinois Coal to Solar and Energy Storage program to ease the transition for some of the state’s coal-fired power plants to a clean energy future. Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 3696 (Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort).

House Bill 5673 (Rep. Latoya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis) – would make several changes to the provision of electricity services in Central and Southern Illinois. Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 3977 (Sen. Christopher Belt, D-East St. Louis).