FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 30, 2025
Contact:
Andrew Rehn, Director of Climate Policy, Prairie Rivers Network, arehn@prairierivers.org, 708-305-6181
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB25 HA5) passed with a vote on the Senate floor today, following its passage in the House yesterday. It now awaits the Governor’s signature.
“The CRGA Act is a big win for the climate and a win for ratepayers,” said Andrew Rehn, Climate Policy Director at Prairie Rivers Network. “The electric rate affordability crisis is top of mind for everyone. Due to growing demand, driven largely by data centers, electric rates are going to keep going up, but with the CRGA Act we can protect ratepayers and continue Illinois’s clean energy transition.”
The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act offers a responsible path forward. The CRGA Act tackles Illinois’ energy challenges head-on by expanding grid capacity with clean resources and reducing peak energy demand. Highlights include:
- Expanding our grid capacity with 3GW of battery storage and aligning on the grid and protecting renewable
- Reducing peak energy demand with virtual power plants, time-of-use rates, geothermal and energy efficiency programs
- Creates a state energy planning process to ensure Illinois can keep its energy affordable and keep progress towards its renewable goals
- Ensuring the battery storage and geothermal programs meet the same equity standards as wind and solar
The Illinois Power Agency estimates that downstate ratepayers in Ameren territory will save $120/year because of this bill.
“The benefits of the CRGA Act are clear, but we’re not done yet. The onslaught of new, hyperscaler data centers pose challenges to affordable electric rates, our shared water resources, and more,” Rehn said. “We’ll be back in Springfield this spring to ensure our clean energy transition and clean water are protected.”
At Prairie Rivers Network (PRN), we protect water, heal land, and inspire change. Using the creative power of science, law, and collective action, we protect and restore our rivers, return healthy soils and diverse wildlife to our lands, and transform how we care for the earth and for each other. PRN is the Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.
