HB2480 Summary

• Amends the Public Utilities Act to allow electric utilities to file a tariff providing a special rate for low-income customers participating in community solar projects.

• Community solar project developers with renewable energy credit contracts can enroll their projects in the program, and enrolled projects are deemed fully subscribed with customers automatically enrolled in the tariff.

• Automatically applies the tariff rate to low-income customers participating in state assistance programs, those exempt from utility deposits or late fees, and public housing residents with separately metered accounts; other low-income customers may voluntarily enroll.

• Utilities must prioritize enrollment by zip code median income (lowest income first) and use random lottery within zip codes; automatic enrollment only begins when projects are projected to achieve 20% bill savings for customers.

• The Illinois Commerce Commission must approve the tariff within 120 days of filing; enrolled projects and customers are exempt from Illinois Power Agency Act application and contract requirements.