• Developers say HB 1700 will improve project certainty and timelines.
• Interconnection delays remain a challenge in Illinois, especially with Ameren .

Illinois has honed its position as a renewable energy hub after lawmakers passed House Bill 1700, which makes technical changes to the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), mainly by amending various bills to add distributed storage, as well as reduce permitting uncertainty by giving the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) authority to override local permitting denials.

The bill took effect immediately following the signing on June 26 by Governor JB Pritzker.

Developers in Illinois are commending the move.

SunVest Solar CEO Bram Walters told NPM that he views the bill as a helpful backstop.

“Illinois has made clear that solar and storage are important to the state’s energy future, and projects that meet the applicable standards should have a clear and predictable path forward,” Walters said. “To the extent a project is delayed or blocked for reasons that are inconsistent with state policy or the statutory framework, HB 1700 can help keep good projects moving.”

Even with the bill in place, Walters said SunVest still prefers to work directly with local municipalities and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ).

“Local engagement is important, and we see the best outcomes when developers can explain the benefits of a project, listen to concerns, and address those concerns directly,” Walters said.

In practice, Walters said, any measure that improves permitting certainty and project timelines is a move in the right direction.

“Development delays can create real costs for projects, utilities, landowners, and ultimately customers,” Bram said. “A clearer process will help reduce uncertainty while preserving meaningful local input.”

Last month, SunVest received pushback from residents on proposed a 14-acre community solar project in Mahomet, Champaign County. Residents opposed the project citing disruptions to natural habitat, but SunVest said the land is not suitable for residential or agricultural use, which makes it a good site for solar development.

NPM Interconnection Queues data identified 96 pre-operational projects under development by Sunvest, 76 of which are located in Illinois.

Clean Footprint’s Vice President of Real Estate and Strategy, Adam Cole, told NPM that he is pleased to see Illinois lawmakers fiercely advocate for and pass legislation that streamlines development and deployment of renewable energy.

Cole said the bill provides “vital support in overcoming the obstacles experienced by some developers when seeking zoning approvals in solar, wind and ESS-resistant jurisdictions.”

“While we’ve enjoyed a state siting law since January 2023 that created uniform zoning standards and prevented prohibitive restrictions in unincorporated county areas, this update prohibits outright moratoriums on development of renewable energy facilities and gives developers regulatory support when AHJ’s deny zoning for a compliant project, or when an AHJ effectively kills a project by repeated inaction and delay on the developer’s application.”

Cole added that he anticipates the industry will see an accelerated roll-out of new facilities as a result of the new law.

“This brings critical certainty to developers seeking to make continued and significant investment in developing the project and supports the underwriting of project financing,” Cole added.

NPM Interconnection Queues data identified 12 pre-operational projects under development by Clean Footprint, five of which are in Illinois.

Illinois developers still face lengthy interconnection timelines, particularly for projects seeking to connect to Ameren Illinois, which is currently facing dozens of interconnection-related complaints filed with the ICC by 6GM, Carson Power, Cultivate Power, Dimension Energy, ForeFront Power, GreenKey Development, Trajectory Energy, Sol Source Power, and others, NPM reported.