HB5539 Summary

• Amends Sections 8-103, 8-103B, and 8-104 of the Public Utilities Act to add "public institutions of higher education" to the list of entities from which electric and natural gas utilities must procure cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

• For electric utilities, a minimum of 10% (for those serving over 3 million customers) or 7% (for those serving 500,000-3 million customers) of annual portfolio funding must be used to procure energy efficiency measures from local government units, school districts, community colleges, and now public universities.

• For natural gas utilities, a minimum of 10% of the portfolio of cost-effective energy efficiency measures must be procured from local government, school districts, community colleges, and public institutions of higher education.

• Ensures that public universities can participate alongside municipalities, schools, and community colleges in receiving funding for energy efficiency projects through utility efficiency programs.