Abraham Lincoln statue in front of the Illinois State Capital Building in Springfield, Illinois
April 2025 Updates
BDC testified before the Illinois State House Energy and Natural Resources Committee in support of the Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act
Sponsored by Illinois House Representative Ann Williams, the bill, HB 3609, would allow Illinois’ investor-owned gas and dual-fuel utility companies to launch up to three thermal energy network (TEN) projects for residential and industrial customers.
In her testimony, Yami Newell, BDC’s Illinois Policy Manager, described the environmental, public health, job creation and retention, peak grid demand reduction, and consumer cost-saving benefits of neighborhood-scale TENs. HB 3609 has secured widespread support from key stakeholders, including the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, the Citizens Utility Board, the Illinois AFL-CIO, and IUOE Local 150. After Ms. Newel testified, the bill was passed out of committee and it will be sent to the Illinois House floor in the coming weeks.