Power Pulse!
A quarterly newsletter featuring the latest news and information
from the Illinois Power Agency.
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Our vision is to provide a clean, reliable, equitable, and cost-effective
energy future for residents and businesses across Illinois.
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Message from the IPA Director |
On behalf of the Illinois Power Agency, I am excited to announce the launch of our official quarterly newsletter, Power Pulse!
The launch of our newsletter couldn't have come at a better time. On September 15, 2021, Gov. Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-0662, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. This comprehensive energy legislation puts Illinois on a path to a 100% carbon-free clean energy future. Of importance to the Illinois Power Agency, the Act will expand the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard and strengthen the diversity, equity, and labor standards applicable to the growing clean energy economy.
The Act brings a renewed sense of hope and optimism, motivating us all to work harder. However, there is a lot to accomplish in the weeks and months ahead. The Act includes new procurements for the Agency to conduct, including those for Carbon Mitigation Credits and Renewable Energy Credits from new utility-scale wind and solar projects, numerous changes to IPA-administered incentive programs, along with other many other new requirements. Other state agencies will be implementing other aspects of this comprehensive legislation.
While we will be issuing announcements as needed as we work to implement this new law, we see the launch of this quarterly newsletter as an effective communication platform to share relevant IPA news and announcements. We welcome your comments and seek feedback to continually improve with each issue. Please e-mail them to [email protected]
Sincerely,
Anthony Star
Director
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New Long-Term Renewable Resources
Procurement Plan Update
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With the enactment of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (Public Act 102-0662) and withdrawal of the draft Second Revised Long-Term Plan, the Illinois Power Agency is tasked with developing a new draft Revised Long-Term Plan reflecting modified statutory requirements, per Section 1-75(c)(1)(A) of the Illinois Power Agency Act. The new Revised Plan will be released for public comment no later than 120 days after Public Act 102-0662’s effective date (by January 13, 2022).
The Agency anticipates holding workshops and providing other opportunities for stakeholder input during that draft Plan’s development. Announcements about additional processes and timetables for implementing other new requirements of Public Act 102-0662 will be made by the Agency in the weeks and months ahead.
For future announcements and updates on the new draft Revised Long-Term Plan updates and announcements, please visit the IPA website.
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Illinois Solar for All Program Highlights |
The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program began its fourth program year this summer. Twenty projects (2.4MW) in the Non-Profit/Public Facilities sub-program for the 2021-2022 program year were selected and approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). As required by sub-program guidelines, all projects within the Non-Profit/Public Facilities sub-program will be located in an environmental justice community or a low-income census tract.
The Program Administrator also accepted project applications for the Low-Income Community Solar sub-program for this program year, and submissions are currently undergoing final review. Community solar project selection will be on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
The Low-Income Distributed Generation sub-program for residential projects is accepting submissions now. Since the beginning of this program year, ten projects (71 kW) for systems serving income-eligible residences have been selected and approved by the ICC.
For future ILSFA news and announcements, please visit the ILSFA website.
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Adjustable Block Program Reopening |
The recently enacted Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (Public Act 102-0662) will include significant changes to the Adjustable Block/Illinois Shines program, including the reopening of select block categories within 90 days (by December 14, 2021). The Act includes several key changes to the program that will be implemented for block reopenings.
For additional information and future announcements on the program reopening details, please visit the Adjustable Block Program website.
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IPA Launches Fellowship Program
Recently, the Illinois Power Agency launched its first Fellowship Program, a one-year paid program to provide fellows with an unparalleled opportunity to contribute their skills and talents in the clean energy sector. “With the recent enactment of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, this is an exciting time to join the Agency and play a pivotal role in putting Illinois at the forefront of the clean energy future,” said IPA Director Anthony Star.
Through this program, the IPA seeks to connect with recent graduates or early-career professionals working in clean energy and/or environmental planning. The IPA is currently accepting applications for the program. All applications must be received by 11:59 pm CDT on Sunday, October 31, 2021.
To learn more and apply for the position, please visit the IPA website.
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IPA Employee Spotlight
The Illinois Power Agency will be doing an Employee Spotlight every quarter, and for our first spotlight we’re shining the light on our new Chief of the Planning and Procurement Bureau, Doug Stinner.
Doug joined the IPA on September 1, 2021. In this role, Doug is primarily responsible for the development and execution of the Annual Electricity Procurement Plan and various related activities, such as managing electric power supply and renewable energy credits portfolios, performing quantitative analyses, and overseeing hedging strategies and risk management.
Previously, Doug served as the Demand Response Lead at an international energy services and solutions company. Throughout his career, Doug has served in various energy planning and procurement positions, including a procurement role with a utility company in Pennsylvania, where he managed the procurement of energy supply for all utility customers in the state. His experience and broad expertise spans energy management, energy forecasting, energy efficiency, project management, and strategic planning in the energy utilities sector.
Doug and his wife, Suzanne, enjoy the outdoors (hiking and golfing), traveling, and spending time with their three children who live in NYC.
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Register for Upcoming Webinars |
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Starting Friday, October 15, 2021, the IPA will be offering the IPA Power Hour Webinars, a series of educational and informative webinars featuring a wide range of clean energy topics and issues presented over the lunch hour.
The webinars will discuss how the recently enacted the Climate Equitable Jobs Act, including how the Act revises and expands the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard, and strengthens equity, diversity, and labor standards for IPA-administered incentive programs to build a stronger, more diverse and equitable clean energy workforce. After this initial series is completed, the IPA will be offering future Power Hour Webinars on other topical areas.
The Power Hour Webinar Series will be recorded and available on the Agency’s website. IPA Power Hour Webinars are 60 minutes long from 12pm-1pm CDT. Registration is required. After you register, you'll receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar.
To learn more and register for the webinars, please visit the IPA website.
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Follow IPA on LinkedIn
Did you know the IPA recently joined LinkedIn? For Agency job postings and announcements, follow the IPA LinkedIn account here. |
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105 West Madison Street, Suite 1401
Chicago, Illinois 60602
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The IPA is committed to the planning and procurement of reliable, efficient, and cost-effective electricity for residents and businesses in an ethical and objective manner, insulated from improper influence. The IPA also administers incentive programs and procurements to promote
renewable and zero-carbon energy generation, while building an equitable
clean energy future for all Illinoisans.
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