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ILLINOIS LAWS ON WIND
Recent News
The Illinois legislature is moving forward on Advanced Renewable Tariffs with
their bill HB 5855. If you're just joining the discussion an ART is a policy
that requires utilities to hook up any new renewable install, requires them to
purchase that power first, and requires that there be a sensible profit for the
plant operator.
Representative Karen May (D-58 District) introduced a bill on February 15, 2008
calling for a system of Advanced Renewable Tariffs like those used in Germany to
spur development of solar and wind energy.
HB 5855, the Illinois Renewable Energy Sources Act, was introduced by
Representative May into Illinois' 95th General Assembly. The bill has been
reported to the Rules Committee.
May's bill, patterned after Germany's successful Renewable Energy Sources Act,
is the second such bill introduced into a state legislature in the United
States. Representative Kathleen Law introduced HB 5218 into the Michigan House
of Representatives September 17, 2007.
As in Michigan's HB 5218, Representative May's bill would create a full system
of feed-in tariffs with prices for an array of renewable energy technologies.
Currently, the only true feed-in tariff system in North America is the limited
program offered in Ontario, Canada that pays $0.11 CAD/kWh for wind, hydro, and
biomass, and $0.42/kWh for solar photovoltaic generation.
Net Metering of Electricity
Public Act 095-0420
An ACT concerning regulation
- For retail customers that own or operate electric generation from
renewable energy on their premises
- Electricity providers must offer by April 1, 2008
- Up to rated capacity of 2000 kilowatts per customer
- Customers meeting requirements must be accepted into the program
until electricity provider has achieved 1% of total peak demand (based on
previous year experience), however Systems rated at 40 kilowatts or less are
limited to 200 new customers for a one year period beginning 4/1/08
- Intent is to offset customer's own consumption
- Generation offsets consumption monthly
If consumption exceeds generation
then billed for the net deficit
If generation exceeds consumption
then a credit for the net surplus is carried forward until needed for
another net deficit month
- Each monthly credit must be used within 12 months at which time it
expires
- Retail customer owns any credits that may become associated with
production of renewable energy
- Pro rating for multiple customers such as in a community wind
project is at discretion of electricity provider
Utility Electricity
Public Act 095-0481 211 pages
An ACT concerning Renewable Portfolio Standards
Minimum percentage of utility's total supply to serve the load of eligible
retail customers.
- At least 2% by June 1, 2008
- At least 4% by June 1, 2009
- Increasing by 1% per year thereafter to 10% by June
2015
- Increasing by 1.5% each year thereafter to at least
25% by June 1, 2025
- At extent that it is available, at least 75% of the
renewable energy resources used shall come from wind generation
Zoning of Wind Turbines and Farms
Public Act 095-0203
An ACT concerning local government
County
- may establish standards for wind
turbines and wind farms
- Including height, number
- Including the siting of wind turbines in unincorporated
areas
- does not regulate siting in municipality jurisdiction and a
1.5 mile radius surrounding its jurisdiction
- shall hold at least one public hearing not more than 30 days
prior to a siting of a wind turbine decision by county board
- Notice of hearing published in newspaper with general
circulation in county
may allow siting of test wind towers without formal approval
- Test wind towers must be dismantled within three years of
installation
Provisions of county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms, already
in effect prior to effective date of this act may continue.
Municipality
- may regulate wind turbines and wind farms within its
jurisdiction and a 1.5 miles radius surrounding its zoning jurisdiction.
- shall hold at least one public hearing not more than 30 days
prior to a siting of a wind turbine decision by county board
- Notice of hearing published in newspaper with general
circulation in the municipality
- may allow siting of test wind towers without formal approval
- Test wind towers must be dismantled within three years of
installation
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