The deadline is quickly approaching for stakeholders to submit comments for the Illinois Power Agency’s (IPA) “Draft Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan.” The draft plan was issued on Sept. 29 and comments are due by Nov. 13.

The Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) established a protocol requiring the IPA to develop a plan describing how the agency will design programs and organize procurements in order to achieve renewable energy targets outlined in the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The draft plan also discusses the Adjustable Block Program for issuing renewable energy credits, the Community Renewable Generation Program, and the Illinois Solar for All Program.

The IPA is currently accepting comments on the draft plan and requests that comments be “specific, supported by data or other detailed analyses and, if objecting to all or a portion of the procurement plan, accompanied by specific alternative wording or proposals.” All comments will be made public and should be sent to IPA’s planning and procurement bureau chief, Mario Bohorquez, by email at Mario.Bohorquez@Illinois.gov by Nov. 13.

On Dec. 4, 21 days following the close of the comment period, IPA will revise the draft plan and file the plan with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The ICC will have until April 3, 2018, to review and approve IPA’s submission. The ICC will approve it if “the plan will reasonably and prudently accomplish the requirements of Section 1-56 and subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.”