Energy Efficiency | Net Metering | Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Over the past three years, the Office of the Attorney General successfully negotiated several pieces of legislation, now law, that require Illinois utilities:

• to meet some of the most ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy standards in the nation; and
  
  
• to allow customers to pay for energy efficiency measures by applying savings on their utility bills to the cost of their investment - with no required upfront payment

The new laws also require nonutility suppliers of electricity to meet the same renewable energy purchase standards as electric utilities. This year 5 percent of the electricity supplied in Illinois must come from renewable energy resources. In 2025, the renewable energy standard increases to 25 percent.

Illinois also recently enacted a "net metering" law to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to install renewable energy systems and to hook them up to the electric grid.

These new laws are helping Illinois residents save money on their utility bills and protect the environment at the same time. From simple changes around the house, such as using CFLs-to larger projects, such as installing renewable energy systems-there is a "green" solution to meet everyone's needs.

Please click on the topics below to learn how you can cut your electricity use, save money on your utility bill, and protect our environment, all at the same time:

Renewable Energy: Net Metering and Interconnection

As a result of recent changes in the law, Illinois residents and businesses now have an opportunity to reduce their utility bills if they generate electricity from their own wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels, or other renewable energy systems. On April 1, 2008, new rules went into effect that require utilities to connect these systems to the electric grid and to compensate homeowners and businesses for electricity generated from renewable resources.

Energy Efficiency: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)

Switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is a simple yet effective way to reduce electricity use and save money on your next electric utility bill. By reducing electricity use, you also help to limit the production of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.

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