The Clean Energy Transition
Learn more about our plans to invest in a clean, reliable energy future.
CEJA: State Energy Law
In 2021, Illinois passed clean energy legislation - the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) – committing Illinois to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Key provisions include meeting existing fossil generating plant zero-emission requirements; investments in residential, community, and utility-scale renewable energy; and investments in electrification targeting one million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030. The law also contains provisions that impact the way the state's utilities, like Ameren Illinois, must invest in grid enhancements to prepare for the transition to clean energy.
Ameren Grid Plan
On December 19, 2024, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved Ameren Illinois' multi-year (2024-2027) integrated grid plan — the Company's first approved plan under the new process established by CEJA. The plan outlines planned investments centering on maintaining safe and reliable service through modernization of the electric grid, replacement of aging infrastructure, preventative maintenance, and automation, while also directing more than half of the investments to benefit customers living in equity-eligible communities.
Strategic Priorities
Safety and Reliability
Sustain and strengthen grid safety and reliability through continued investment in programs, systems, and infrastructure that serve as the foundation for a more advanced, secure, and clean grid.
Resiliency
Better withstand grid interruptions caused by the increase in severe weather events by proactively replacing equipment, implementing advanced infrastructure hardening, and installing more intelligent, automated, flexible, and redundant systems.
Customer Experience
Empower customers to take control of their energy decisions through expanded access to tools and usage data. Increase investments in energy efficiency programs to help customers reduce their energy usage and save money while continuing to prioritize affordability, and improved customer service systems.
Clean Energy Transistion
Make it easy for customers and developers to connect to distributed energy resources such as solar, wind, and battery storage. Promote the long-term growth of renewable energy, demand response, and energy efficiency; and facilitate customer adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) through lower off-peak charging rates and credits for public charging facilities in equity-eligible communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
CEJA was signed by the Illinois General Assembly in September of 2021. It establishes a policy to achieve 100% clean energy sources by 2050. Key provisions:
- Transitions Illinois’ energy portfolio to 40% clean sources by 2030, 50% by 2040, and ultimately to 100% by 2050.
- Shutters privately-owned coal-fired energy plants by 2030.
- Increases the amount collected from Ameren Illinois customers for the purchase of renewable energy credits by the Illinois Power Agency.
- Requires Ameren Illinois to collect money from customers to fund new Illinois clean energy programs, grants, and oversight councils.
- Requires Ameren Illinois to collect money from customers to convert shuttered coal plants to solar energy or energy storage facilities. Provides utilities with the option to file a 4-year performance-based ratemaking plan.
- Eliminates deposit requirements and late-fees for income-qualified customers.
Energy Transition Assistance Charge - $25 million annually
- Collects money from customers and sends it to the state of Illinois to pay for programs such as workforce and contractor development, investments and community support, and administration of energy and justice efforts.
- For more information, contact the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) at 217.782.7500.
Renewable Energy Adjustment - $163 million annually
- Collects money from customers and provides it to the Illinois Power Agency to purchase renewable energy credits for clean energy projects.
- For more information, contact the Illinois Power Agency at 312.793.0263.
Coal to Solar Energy & Storage Charge - $11 million annually
- Collects money from customers to help fund the conversion of shuttered coal plants to solar energy or energy storage facilities.
- Charges Begin: January, 2023
- For more information, contact the Illinois Power Agency at 312.793.0263 or the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) at 217.782.7500.
Other planned programs:
- Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program
- Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program
- Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program
- Barrier Reduction Program
- Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program
- Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program
- Energy Transition Navigators
- Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Programr
- Energy Transition Community Support Grants
- Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Scholarship
- Public Utilities Fund
- Illinois Power Agency Operations Fund for use by the Illinois Power Agency
- Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund
For more information on these programs, contact the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) at 217.782.7500 or the Governor's Office at 217.782.0244.
The legislation requires Ameren Illinois to pass the costs of the new clean energy programs on to our residential and business customers. Cost estimates vary and will increase as additional provisions are implemented.
Charges for two provisions – the Energy Transition Assistance Charge and the Renewable Energy Adjustment – were included in energy bill calculations beginning in February, 2022. Ameren Illinois is following the state's regulatory process and additional mandated charges will appear as more provisions are implemented.
Ameren Illinois supports a steady, measured transition to clean energy. We have advocated for policies that are fair, keep energy affordable, and maintain reliability for Downstate Illinois.
It will enable continued upgrades to Illinois’ energy grid – the poles, wires, and technology that deliver the reliable energy needed to power homes and businesses; and it contains provisions enabling Ameren Illinois to construct and operate two utility scale solar facilities in East St. Louis and the Peoria Area. It also supports Ameren Illinois’ Electric Vehicle Charging Plan, creating rate incentives to improve accessibility to in-home and on-the-road electric vehicle charging.
Resources
Multi-year Integrated Grid Plan Workshops
- Ameren Illinois MYIGP Presentation on Hosting Capacity (January 2022) (PDF)
- Ameren Illinois Comments following MYIGP Cost Effectiveness Workshop (April 2022) (PDF)
- Ameren Illinois MYIGP Evening Workshop Video Recording (April 2022)
- Ameren Illinois MYIGP Presentation on Assessing Grid Plans (May 2022) (PDF)