Illinois Commission Examines Rate Design to Support Transportation Electrification

The Illinois Commerce Commission on Aug. 20 opened an inquiry to explore electricity rate design options to support transportation electrification infrastructure and gather information about the impact rate structures will have on other forms of electrification, service, and affordability.

The inquiry supplements previous efforts by the commission to study electric vehicles. In 2018, the commission took action to identify issues, potential challenges, and opportunities in EV deployment. A policy session held earlier this year discussed the impact of an increasingly electrified future and the integration of electrification in Illinois and nationally. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the share of EV users is expected to rise albeit at a lower rate than initially forecasted.

The commission seeks stakeholder input on a series of questions related to rate design in three categories: impacts on EV adoption; impacts on other forms of beneficial electrification; and implementation.   Initial and reply comments are due by Nov. 16 and Dec. 18, respectively.