Illinois is the fastest-moving CCA state in the nation. In 2011, 20 Illinois cities formed energy aggregations and contracted for electricity supply. In March 2012, 237 communities approved CCA referendums. By leveraging the combined electricity demand of their communities, Illinois CCAs are negotiating average rate savings of 25 to 30 percent.

Although rate savings have been the primary impetus for CCA formation in Illinois, some of the state’s municipalities are pushing for cleaner and more efficient supply. The City of Oak Park, for example, included a preference for cleaner power in its request for proposals, and it accepted a bid that included 100 percent wind-based renewable energy certificates (RECs). These RECs increase demand and price support for wind power development over coal–and customers benefit from a 25 percent drop in electricity rates. Oak Park is also working to establish an energy efficiency program under its CCA and, together with LEAN and the Illinois CCA Network, is encouraging additional cities to follow its lead in exceeding the state’s 6 percent renewable portfolio standard (RPS).

ILLINOIS CCA FAST FACTS

• Year that Illinois passed energy aggregation law: 2009
• Number of steps for a municipality to establish a CCA in Illinois: (1) Adopt a resolution initiating CCA as a question on a public referendum ballot; (2) If passed, adopt an ordinance establishing the CCA program; (3) Develop a plan of governance and approve after two public hearings; (4) Conduct a public bidding process for electricity suppliers; (5) Implement the program, including ample public
• Number of municipal clients of the Illinois CCA Network (ICCAN), a partnership of LEAN, Galvin Electricity Initiative, and former Illinois Power Authority head Mark Pruitt of the Perfect Power Institute: 40
• Number of Illinois cities with a CCA referendum on the November 2012 ballot: Nearly 140

ILLINOIS CCA RESOURCES

RFQ-CHICAGO MUNICIPAL AGGREGATION

MODEL AMEREN PLAN OF GOVERNANCE

MODEL AMEREN RFP

MODEL COM ED AGREEMENT

MODEL COM ED PLAN OF GOVERNANCE

MODEL COM ED RFP

ILLINOIS CCA LINKS

PRESS ROUND UP, CCA IN ILLINOIS

OAK PARK AGGREGATION PRESENTATION

OAK PARK GOES GREEN & SAVES

GALVIN ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE

Please feel free to send any CCA news, corrections or updates to LEANupdates@leanenergyus.org