Illinois Energy Summary
This page provides a summary of energy in Illinois. Here you will find an overview of energy consumption, listing of energy efficiency goals under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), a summary of the status of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, and a list of political leaders and state agency administrators who shape energy policy for Illinois. You can link to the following subheadings on this page:
- Executive summary
- Economic and demographic facts that affect energy consumption
- Status of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies
- State leadership
Executive Summary
Total Energy Consumption per Capita 1980 - 2005 and EPAct Goal for Illinois
(million Btu)
Section 123 of EPAct requires states to set an energy conservation goal that is 25% below 1990 consumption. DOE is currently considering a per capita goal among other options.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Information Administration State Energy Price, Expenditure, and Consumption Estimates (SEDS) database. Note, that 2005 is the latest year for which state-by-state data is available.
Illinois coal reserves rank third in the nation, but the state has only minor reserves of petroleum and natural gas. However, the state contains major gas pipelines and electricity transmission capacity serving the Midwest.
Read a more complete energy summary for Illinois, including consumption and production statistics for fossil fuels on the DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA) Illinois Energy Profile.
| Total energy consumption per capita | 324 (million Btu) |
State rank | 33 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAct per capita goal for 2012 | 235.5 (million Btu) |
State rank | 32 |
| Average annual increase in total energy consumption | -0.1% | State rank | 36 |
Electricity
Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation
(trillion Btu)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
| Annual growth of electricity consumption | 1.6% | State rank | 41 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity production from nonhydro renewable energy | 1,383 (million kWh) |
State rank | 22 |
Illinois has a deregulated competitive market for electric power. Illinois ranks seventh in the nation for electricity consumption, which is growing at 1.6% per year. This consumption growth is lower than the national average, which correlates with a population growth that is also below the national average.
Illinois ranks 22nd in production of electric power from non-hydro renewable energy resources, including biomass and wind energy. Read more Illinois electric power and renewable energy statistics published by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Transportation
Motor Gasoline Consumption per Capita 1980 - 2005
(gallons)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
Transportation accounts for 27% of all energy consumption in Illinois, which makes it the second largest energy-consuming sector of the state economy after industry. Illinois is a major producer and consumer of ethanol. The state ranks second for consumption of ethanol and for the number of alternative fuel stations of all types. You can find data about the consumption of alternative fuels in Illinois from the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.
| Motor gasoline consumption per capita | 412 (gallons) |
State rank | 47 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethanol consumption | 454,860,692 (gallons) |
State rank | 2 |
| Number of alternative fuel stations | 230 | State rank | 16 |
| Population | 12,720,000 | State rank | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent urban population | 84.1% | State rank | 15 |
| Annual population growth rate | 0.4% | State rank | 41 |
| Per capita personal income | $36,264 | State rank | 14 |
| Gross state product | $589,598 (million) |
State rank | 5 |
Economic and Demographic Facts that Affect Energy Consumption
The following statistics for Illinois put energy consumption into perspective in the context of the state economy and the size and growth of the population.
Status of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies
Illinois has the following state-level policies and incentives in place that support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The links give detailed explanations of the policies and incentives published online by the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency:
Building energy codes for energy efficiency
Illinois has adopted the 2006 IECC and 2004 ASHRAE 90.1 statewide for commercial buildings. There is no statewide mandatory residential building energy code.
Grants for energy efficiency
Grants are provided to Illinois based nonprofit housing developers to include energy efficient building practices in the rehab or new construction of affordable housing units.
Grants for renewable energy
Illinois has three grant programs for renewable energy.
Public benefits funds for energy efficiency
The Illinois Energy Efficiency Trust Fund supports various types of energy efficiency projects
Public benefits funds for renewable energy
The Illinois Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund supports various types of renewable energy projects.
Rebates for energy efficiency
Illinois has a rebate program to help manufacturers manage their energy costs by making cost-effective efficiency improvements.
Rebates for renewable energy
Illinois offers rebates for several types of solar energy systems
Renewable portfolio standard for renewable energy
The Illinois renewable portfolio standard requires utilities with more than 100,000 customers to procure 25% of their electricity supply from renewable sources by 2025.
State Leadership
Governor Pat Quinn (D) began serving as governor in 2009. Previously, he served as lieutenant governor for the past six years.
The Illinois Legislature is composed of a senate with 59 members and a house of representatives with 118 members. The legislature is usually in regular session starting in January and meets throughout the year. The senate majority leader is James F. Clayborne, Jr.(D). The senate minority leader is Christine Radogno (R). The speaker for the house of representatives is Michael Madigan (D).
The Illinois Commerce Commission pursues an appropriate balance between the interest of consumers and both emerging and existing service providers in accordance with applicable statute and rules. The commission chairman is Charles E. Box.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the DOE State Energy Program in Illinois and advises the state's executive and elected leaders about energy policy. The office director is Jonathan Feipel. The DOE State Energy Program publishes contact information for the Illinois energy office.
