Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Acts. Sets forth a statement of legislative findings and intent. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Defines "thermal energy" and "thermal energy network". Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to initiate a proceeding within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act to support the development of pilot thermal energy networks. Provides that within 10 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility serving over 100,000 customers shall file with the Commission a petition seeking Commission-approval of at least one and no more than 3 proposed pilot thermal energy network projects. Requires every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility constructing or operating a Commission-approved pilot thermal energy network project to report to the Commission, on a quarterly basis and until completion of the pilot thermal energy network project, the status of each pilot thermal energy network project. Requires every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility constructing or operating a Commission-approved pilot thermal energy network project to demonstrate that it has entered into a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization that is actively engaged in representing its employees. Requires the Commission to adopt specified rules within 4 years after the completion of the construction of all thermal energy network projects. Provides that a gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility required to develop a pilot thermal energy network project shall be permitted to recover all reasonable and prudently incurred costs associated with the development, construction, and operation of one or more pilot thermal energy network projects through general rates or through rates set in a Multi-Year Rate Plan. Effective immediately.
House Committee Amendment No. 1: In provisions concerning definitions, makes changes to the definition of "thermal energy network". In provisions concerning a utility that proposes 3 pilot thermal energy network projects, requires that one pilot project include an industrial heat application that may additionally include residential and commercial applications (rather than one pilot project be focused one existing electric heat customers). Provides that priority shall be given to pilot proposals that replace leak-prone natural gas distribution infrastructure with distribution infrastructure that supplies non-combusting thermal energy or that replaces thermal energy for buildings currently heated with electric resistance heat. Provides that each public utility shall hold at least one pre-filing public meeting to receive public comment concerning the proposed thermal energy network in the municipality where the thermal energy network is to be located. Sets forth requirements for the notice of the public meeting. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall require projects submitted to a utility-scale renewable thermal energy network program for approval to include a proposed rate structure for thermal energy services supplied to network end users and consumer protection plans for end users. Provides that the Commission may approve the proposed rate structure if the projected heating and cooling costs for end users is not greater than the heating and cooling costs the end users would have incurred if the end users had not participated in the program. In provisions concerning the requirement that the Commission adopt certain rules, provides that such rules shall be adopted within 4 years of the effective date of the amendatory provisions (rather than within 4 years after the completion of the construction of all thermal energy network projects under the amendatory provisions). In provisions concerning the recovery of costs, provides that a gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility developing a thermal energy network project that includes an industrial heat application may recover rates proportionally from each class of customer.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 220 ILCS 5/3, 220 ILCS 5/8
Engrossed: 220 ILCS 5/3, 220 ILCS 5/8