Coalition urges passage of CRGA to slash electricity bills, increase grid reliability

 

On Oct. 14, 2025, lawmakers, consumer advocates and renewable energy industry members joined a broad coalition of organizations urging immediate passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act during the fall veto session. This legislation responds to the urgent need to address skyrocketing costs of electricity for consumers and businesses. If the CRGA Act passes, it would deliver $34 billion in savings to ratepayers over the next 20 years according to a recent study and provide a critical solution to reverse record-breaking annual energy price increases.

A recording of the press conference can be viewed here.

“Simply put, we must pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act and we must pass it now. The cost of doing nothing is what Illinois ratepayers are paying, and every day we wait guarantees more consumer and business pain in the future,” said Jeff Danielson, SVP of Advocacy, Clean Grid Alliance. “If enacted, this bill would direct the state to invest in solutions that promote the stability and reliability of our grid while lowering costs for consumers.”

“CRGA invests in the Illinois power grid by supporting clean energy storage, expanding energy efficiency programs, and creating the pathway to set up virtual power plants that pool energy from already-built sources like solar, storage or EVs,” said Illinois State Representative Ann Williams, 11th District. “This bill gives us the quickest and most cost-effective path out of the energy crisis we are experiencing – our constituents, our environment, and economy rely on solutions like this bill.”

CRGA would provide relief to consumers across Illinois whose bills have spiked as much as 50% since last summer, and whose bills will continue to rise following the results of the 2026/2027 PJM capacity auction. If passed, CRGA would create an energy storage program, Virtual Power Plant program, and other policies geared towards shoring up Illinois’ available electricity supply to meet record demand. By addressing the heart of power demand problems facing Illinois’s grid through deployment of storage, a Virtual Power Plant program, and improving planning, the CRGA Act will make a concrete difference for the state’s energy future.

“Electricity demand is rising quickly in Illinois, and federal government policies are creating an energy supply crisis by making it harder to build wind, solar, and storage resources – the cheapest and fastest new supply. Illinois lawmakers need to respond by passing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act,” said Samarth Medakkar, Policy Principal, Advanced Energy United. “This bill will help protect ratepayers and the businesses which Illinois has attracted with its existing strong advanced energy policy.”

The legislation creates $34 billion in net savings on Illinois energy bills over 20 years, according to an analysis by The Power Bureau, and is expected to save consumers up to $20.54/month according to the Illinois Power Agency. This would mitigate the price spikes that have hit businesses and families hard and will continue to do so if legislators fail to act this fall.

“Federal policies and red tape are threatening years of historic growth in solar jobs, businesses, and economic activity across Illinois. Now the state legislature has a great opportunity to strengthen the grid, protect against fast-rising energy prices, and build on the state’s legacy of clean energy leadership,” said Andrew Linhares, Central Region Senior Manager, Solar Energy Industries Association. “The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act will lower energy prices for Illinois families, strengthen grid reliability, and send a clear signal that the state is open for business.”

Numerous studies and real-world experience in states like Texas and California have proven that energy storage stabilizes the grid and saves consumers and businesses billions of dollars. Battery storage in particular is the quickest, easiest-to-deploy and most cost-effective way to deploy new power resources onto the grid quickly, complementing wind and solar resources during times of peak demand.

“At a moment when people are choosing between paying energy bills or groceries, Illinois legislators can pass common-sense legislation that will lower energy prices in the short and long term, putting money back in the pockets of ratepayers,” said Stephanie Burgos-Veras, Senior Manager of Equity Programs, Coalition for Community Solar Access. “The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is the fastest and most cost-effective pathway to lower energy bills. The longer Illinois waits to enact a solution, the higher energy prices will go, and that is not something Illinois families can afford.”

“Illinois families and businesses are feeling the pain of higher costs of living and historic energy prices, and they are letting their legislators know. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is the only solution proposed that will lower energy prices for all Illinois ratepayers while investing in the future of the Illinois power grid,” said Lesley McCain, Executive Director, Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association. “It will encourage the implementation of proven technologies while building upon the progress we’ve made as a state and optimizing our existing infrastructure. The legislation is ready to go and voting yes for the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is a vote to lower Illinois energy prices, stimulate the Illinois economy, and create high-quality jobs for Illinois.”

The Illinois legislature is set to vote on the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act during the first week of the fall veto session.

You can learn more about energy storage at this link.

 

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About Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

CCSA is a national trade association representing over 130 community solar developers, businesses, and nonprofits. Together, we are building the electric grid of the future where every customer has the freedom to support the generation of clean, local solar energy to power their lives. Through legislative and regulatory advocacy, and the support of a diverse coalition — including advocates for competition, clean energy, ratepayers, landowners, farmers, and environmental justice — we enable policies that unlock the potential of distributed energy resources, starting with community solar. For more information, visit https://www.communitysolaraccess.org and follow the group on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA)

The Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the widespread application of solar and other forms of renewable energy through our mission of education and advocacy. Representing over 150 solar businesses, ISEA is the state resource for renewable energy related policy developments, educational classes, events and access to local renewable energy businesses. http://www.illinoissolar.org.

About Advanced Energy United

Advanced Energy United educates, engages, and advocates for policies that allow our member companies to compete to repower our economy with 100% clean energy. We work with decision makers at every level of government as well as regulators of energy markets to achieve this goal. The businesses we represent are lowering consumer costs, creating millions of new jobs, and providing the full range of clean, efficient, and reliable energy and transportation solutions. Together, we are united in our mission to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy in the United States. Advanced Energy United is online at AdvancedEnergyUnited.org and @AdvEnergyUnited.

About American Clean Power (ACP)

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) is the leading voice of today’s multi-tech clean energy industry, representing energy storage, wind, utility-scale solar, clean hydrogen, and transmission companies. ACP is committed to meeting America’s energy and national security goals and building our economy with fast-growing, low-cost, and reliable domestic power. Learn more at cleanpower.org, and follow ACP on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

About Clean Grid Association (CGA)

Clean Grid Association (CGA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minn., whose mission is to advance renewable energy in the Midwest. CGA has been an active stakeholder in the MISO process at the state and regional levels and a leading organization working on transforming state energy policy. CGA’s membership includes businesses investing in wind, solar, storage, hydrogen and transmission projects, as well as environmental nonprofit organizations, public advocacy groups & clean energy advocates who come together to build the clean energy grid of the future. Learn more at cleangridalliance.org.