ICC Approves Wind Power Plan

By Prescott Carlson in News on Dec 29, 2009 9:40PM

Good news for you clean air types, and just in time, too. The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a plan that will allow the Illinois Power Agency -- the agency that procures electricity for ComEd and other Illinois energy companies -- to begin accepting proposals for wind power contracts to provide up to 3.5% of Illinois' electricity consumption. Currently, most Illinois electricity is generated by roughly 47% coal, 46% nuclear, and 5% natural gas.

But that renewable energy doesn't come without a price -- despite the free wind, wind power actually costs more to deliver than other sources, something the Illinois Power Agency will take under consideration to try and prevent electricity bills from being increased.

One Chicago based firm will likely try to get in on the action as it's in the process of building a wind farm downstate. Even a consortium of school districts in the far northwest suburbs are considering producing and selling wind energy to offset their electricity costs. One thing's for sure -- the list of bidders will make a handy reference to find out which Illinois officials' relatives are in the wind energy business.