A Strengthened RPS Boosts Renewable Energy Development in Illinois

The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzes a proposal to increase Illinois's RPS to 35% by 2030 and its EEPS to a 20% reduction in electricity demand by 2025. Using the DOE's ReEDS model, the report finds that these strengthened standards would drive $23 billion in clean energy investment, save consumers $12.1 billion in electricity expenditures through 2030, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 9.3% compared to a scenario with no policies.

• Strengthening the RPS to 35% by 2030 and the EEPS to a 20% demand reduction by 2025 would drive $23 billion in clean energy investment in Illinois by 2030, comprising $6.3 billion in renewable energy and $16.7 billion in energy efficiency investments.
• The proposed strengthened standards would result in the construction of over 5,200 MW of new wind and solar capacity by 2030, specifically nearly 3,900 MW of wind and more than 1,300 MW of solar.
• Implementing the strengthened EEPS and RPS would generate $12.1 billion in cumulative net consumer electricity savings between 2015 and 2030 compared to a 'No Policies' case.
• Typical residential electricity bills would be reduced by 11% (approximately $10 per month) in 2020 and by 23% (approximately $22 per month) in 2030 compared to the 'No Policies' case, despite a projected 7.7% average rise in electricity rates.
• The strengthened policies would provide an annual economic injection of $237 million into Illinois, including $214 million for renewable energy operation and maintenance and $12 million in lease payments to landowners.
• Compared to a 'No Policies' case, the strengthened EEPS and RPS would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 9.3%, sulfur dioxide by 12.6%, and nitrogen oxides by 9.1% through 2030.
• The strengthened EEPS would reduce electricity consumption by more than 318 billion kilowatt-hours through 2030, which is more than double the 153 billion kilowatt-hour reduction expected under the existing EEPS.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (n.d.). A Strengthened RPS Boosts Renewable Energy Development in Illinois. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/achieving-illinois-clean-energy-potential.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. A Strengthened RPS Boosts Renewable Energy Development in Illinois. n.d. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/achieving-illinois-clean-energy-potential.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=A Strengthened RPS Boosts Renewable Energy Development in Illinois |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/achieving-illinois-clean-energy-potential.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientistsndstrengthened, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{A Strengthened RPS Boosts Renewable Energy Development in Illinois}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/04/achieving-illinois-clean-energy-potential.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }