Illinois’ not-for-profit, member-owned electric co-ops provide reliable energy to communities at a price they can afford. However, proposed legislation is threatening a fundamental principle of how co-ops operate. This legislation would remove the local control and flexibility currently afforded to co-ops to keep energy affordable and reliable for their consumer-members.
Oppose House Bill 3779 and Senate Bill 2473
These bills significantly change a longstanding core principle of electric co-ops — local control. This legislation would give oversight authority of cooperative generation resources to the Illinois Power Agency and rate-setting authority for distributed generation to the Illinois Commerce Commission. It would mandate the filing of an Integrated Resources Plan every three years, a Renewable Portfolio Standard, cost-of-service studies and unbalanced net-metering policies. These bills strip away from co-ops the flexibility to economically plan for our long-term sustainable future, and they will ultimately increase rates.
Oppose House Bill 3322
This bill forces co-ops to implement identical, unbalanced, one-size-fits-all solar net-metering policies. It would take away the current strategic, local and transparent process — one which provides all local members a voice in co-op decisions — and give it to the Illinois Commerce Commission. Co-ops have already established net-metering policies that ensure residential and small commercial members who self-generate receive fair compensation for excess generation.
Electric co-ops are not-for-profit entities that do not have to be concerned about stockholders, stock prices or earnings reports. A co-op’s main priority is to look out for the good of its membership. When it comes to net-metering, if you subsidize one member, other members must pay for it. It is not fair, especially when low-income members have to subsidize other members.
Take action today
As a consumer-member of your electric cooperative, you play an important role in shaping the future of the energy system. Right now, legislation being considered in Springfield threatens the fair, affordable, reliable and locally controlled electric service we’ve worked hard to build together. Cooperatives in Illinois are investing in clean energy in smart, balanced ways. This legislation hinders that.
Your voice matters, and legislators need to hear from you — the people this legislation would impact most. Contact your state representative and senator and tell them to oppose any legislation that:
Raises rates for electric co-op members.
Takes away local control from member-elected cooperative boards.
Forces co-ops to implement unbalanced one-size-fits-all solar net-metering policies.
To receive updates and to get more involved, join Voices for Cooperative Power at
aiec.coop/iclvcp. Let’s keep electricity fair, affordable, reliable and locally controlled.
