ILLINOIS ENERGY FORUM VOLUME 26, ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER, 2019

Environmental Groups, ICC Hosts 2019 Supplier Diversity Policy Session Power Resources Generating, LLC Propose diverse suppliers.” Illinois Commerce Com- Settlement Agreement to The The first panel, Reporting Entity Retire Edwards Coal Plant mission (ICC) recently held its an- Highlights, was moderated by nual Supplier Diversity Policy Ses- and Fund Community Tetyana Rebczak, Legal and Policy sion for the state’s large regulated Advisor to Chairman Carrie Zalew- Projects utilities, wind, solar and other ener- ski. Illinois’ five largest regulated gy suppliers to report on their sup- public utilities each gave an over- plier diversity efforts in 2018 and view of their company’s actual Illinois Power Resources procurement goals for 2019. spend with diverse suppliers in Generating, LLC (IPRG), an affiliate The policy sessions are in re- 2018, with information about best of Luminant, the Sierra Club, Natu- sponse to provisions created by the practices of their supplier diversity ral Resources Defense Council Illinois General Assembly in the teams, procurement goals and any (NRDC), and Respiratory Health Public Utilities Act. Under Section changes to procurement practices Association (RHA) are seeking ap- 5-117 of the Public Utility Act, large for 2019. Representing the utilities proval of a proposed settlement of a regulated utilities, wind, solar and were: • Melvin D. Williams, Presi- Clean Air Act lawsuit brought by other energy suppliers in the state dent, and Senior Vice environmental organizations in are required to report on procure- President, Southern Gas Company 2013. The proposed settlement is ment goals and actual spending for • Richard J. Mark, President, subject to review and comment by the previous calendar year with Ameren Illinois • Joseph the Department of Justice and diverse suppliers. Dominguez, CEO, ComEd • Bruce USEPA, and review, approval and “Illinois utilities have succeeded in A. Hauk, President, Illinois Ameri- growing their procurement with di- entry by the U.S. District Court for can Water, and IUBDC Chairman verse suppliers by $2.1 billion, an • the Central District of Illinois. If Charles Matthews, President and approved and entered by the Court, increase of over 300% from 2012 to 2018,” said ICC Chairman Carrie CEO, Peoples Gas and North the proposed settlement would pro- Shore Gas vide for retirement of the Edwards Zalewski. “While we have made incredible strides in the right direc- "There isn't a 'one size fits all' plant by the end of 2022 (subject to approach when it comes to building regulatory approval) and millions of tion much more remains to be done to increase the dollars spent with a more diverse supply chain. Pro- dollars in funding for projects that gressive companies proactively benefit Peoria-area communities. diverse suppliers and looking for potential new ways to measure the open doors for qualified diverse In response, Sierra Club, NRDC, vendors because it’s good busi- and RHA released the following impact of diverse suppliers. The ICC is committed to increasing both ness," said Richard J. Mark, chair- joint statement: the amount of dollars spent with man and president of Ameren Illi- "The proposed settlement an- diverse suppliers and the types of nois. "I am pleased to report that nounced is an important milestone Ameren Illinois has increased our in improving air quality for families in Peoria and Central Illinois and Inside This Issue allows an important period of time to support transition needs of the 2 From The Staff community and workers. We hope 2 Nicor Gas VP Christa Markgraff Among the Court will approve the settle- HERoes 100 Women Executives List ment, and we look forward to work- ing with the people of Peoria and 3 Energy News surrounding communities to devel- 4 Energy Association Activities op and implement the ILLINOIS ENERGY FORUM 2 SEPTEMBER, 2019

______Through our strategic initiatives we Bocanegra. A change in the state FROM THE STAFF look to build on those successes in law beginning in 2018 now requires the years to come.” suppliers of wind energy, solar en- You may not know it, but Illi- “We have set and achieved high- ergy, hydroelectricity, nuclear ener- nois is leading the way in efforts to er diverse supplier goals for each of gy and other supplies of energy promote supplier diversity among the past seven years,” said Joe within Illinois to report to the ICC on regulated public utilities. Our lead Dominguez, CEO, ComEd. “Creat- their supplier diversity spending and article on the recent Supplier Diver- ing opportunities for diverse suppli- goals for the current year. This sity Policy Session held by the ers is one of the most important panel focused on ways energy sup- Commerce Commission provides roles we play as we continue build- pliers can achieve supplier diversity some eye-popping numbers in ing a supply chain that reflects all goals, comply with reporting re- terms of recent growth of utility the communities we serve.” quirements and overcome structural spending on diverse suppliers. In “Since 2015, we have more than impediments to achieving supplier addition to the individual utilities, doubled our annual spending with diversity goals. lots of credit goes to the organiza- diverse suppliers by making suppli- The final panel, Professional Ser- tion they established a few years er diversity a key focus of our cor- vices, was led by Carrera ago to promote this cause: the porate strategy,” said Charles Mat- Thibodeaux, Legal and Policy Advi- Illinois Utilities Business Diversity thews, president and CEO of Peo- sor to Commissioner Ethan Kim- Council (IUBDC). Working closely ples Gas and North Shore Gas. brel. During this panel, the Com- with the ICC and various advo- “While we are proud of what we mission reiterated its call to action cates, the IUBDC has become na- have accomplished in this time, we to the utilities to prioritize supplier tionally known for its successful are committed to continue advanc- diversity spend in professional ser- efforts. And, there’s even more ing our program to make an en- vices. Panelists spoke about the progress to come. Check out hanced impact in the communities opportunities available to support we serve.” minority businesses and the com- www.iubdc.org. IEF A second panel, How to Foster mitment it takes from corporate

Partnerships, was led by Commis- (Continued from Page 1)______partners. sioner Sadzi Martha Oliva. The The policy session concluded with panelists included: a presentation by Illinois Utilities Settlement • Martin Cabrera, Jr. CEO, Cabrera Business Diversity Council (IUBDC) Capital Markets, LLC. Chair Bruce Hauk. IUBDC is a fo- Partnership with Illinois American rum for best practice sharing and Water • Homero Tristian, Founding information exchange among Illinois projects the set- Beneficial Partner, Tristian and Cervantes, utilities. IEF tlement provides for.” Partnership with ComEd • Tim In response, IPRG released the Richards, President, Richards following statement: Graphic Communications, Inc., Nicor Gas VP Christa “The proposed settlement resolves Partnership with ComEd • James F. Markgraff Among HERoes a long-running lawsuit while provid- Clayborne Jr., Partner, Clayborne, ing three years of certainty for the Sabo & Wagner LLP, Partnership 100 Women Executives more than 70 employees working at with Ameren Illinois • Sidney List the Edwards plant and, importantly, Dillard, Partner, Loop Capital, Part- a transition period for the communi- nership with Peoples Gas ty to plan for the plant closure. The panelists agreed that part- Christa Markgraff, vice IPRG and Edwards look forward to nerships are an important compo- president of operations at Nicor continuing to provide reliable power nent of supplier diversity and spoke Gas, the largest natural gas dis- for Illinois for the next three years about their partnerships with the while supporting the communities tribution company in Illinois, is utilities, sharing success stories and among those named to the 2019 where our employees live and best practices for ‘helping public HERoes 100 Women Execu- work.” IEF utilities diversifying and expanding their investors’ outreach,” said Mar- tives List. The annual list cele- (Continued from Page 1)______tin Cabrera Jr, CEO, Cabrera Capi- brates 100 women who are tal Markets. leading by example and driving A third panel, Energy Suppliers change to increase gender di- ICC Discuss Supplier Diversity High- versity in the workplace. IEF lights of 2018, was moderated by Spending with diverse com- Alejandro Aixala, Legal and Policy panies by 65% in the last two years. Advisor to Commissioner Maria ILLINOIS ENERGY FORUM 3 SEPTEMBER, 2019

Future Supply of Natural Gas Sees Generation Employees Tee Largest Increase in 54-Year History Off To Help The Community

The Potential Gas Committee (PGC) and the Exelon Generation employees at LaSalle Gen- American Gas Association (AGA) recently an- erating Station recently teed up donations totaling nounced that the United States has a natural gas $33,000 for four local charities at the nuclear sta- resource base of 3,374 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). It tion’s annual golf outing. The event has raised more comes as a result of the PGC's latest biennial as- than $200,000 for non-profit organizations in its four- sessment of the nation's natural gas resources as of year history. year-end 2018. This is the highest resource evalua- tion in the Committee's 54-year history, exceeding More than 200 golfers participated in this year’s the 2016 assessment by about 20% - the largest LaSalle Station Charity Golf Outing on Friday, Aug. two-year increase in the report's history. 30, raising money and awareness for the following local charities: Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse, "This report verifies that our nation has more natu- the Dani-Brandon Center for Children, Perfectly ral gas than at any point in our history, ensuring that Flawed Foundation and Blessings in a Backpack. American families and businesses can rely on this clean, affordable source of energy for many genera- “We are so excited about the money raised by tions," said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. employees at LaSalle Station,” said Tonya Carter, "The United States continues to set new natural gas coordinator for Blessings in a Backpack. “Without supply records because of technological improve- generous donations like this, many children in our ments and continued learning in gas exploration and community would go without food on the weekends.” production. That same spirit of innovation drives the entire natural gas industry from the companies that According to Carter, 50 children can be fed for the transport and deliver natural gas, to the entrepre- entire school year with money raised during the golf neurs that develop new technologies that are mak- outing. The organization sends backpacks stuffed ing natural gas cleaner and more accessible." with food home with disadvantaged children.

The increase resulted from reassessments of The golf outing is just the latest of many philan- shale gas resources in the Atlantic and Mid- thropic and volunteer events organized by LaSalle Continent areas and conventional and tight gas in Station employees. Other efforts this year have in- the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain areas. cluded a clean-up day at Camp Tuckabatchee in Ottawa, a school supply drive benefitting eight Harbert continued, "Natural gas has transformed neighboring schools, and participation in the United the American economy and energy future for the Way of Eastern LaSalle County Labor of Love. better. Any realistic plan to continue towards a cleaner energy future will have natural gas as a "LaSalle Station employees care a great deal foundation." about the community where they live and work," said John Washko, LaSalle Generating Station Site Vice Since its establishment in the 1960s, the PGC has President. "It means a lot that we’re able to make a been the only group that assesses the future supply difference by volunteering at and raising money for of natural gas in the United States. The Committee local charitable organizations." is made up of over 800 experienced volunteer geo- scientist and engineers contributing to the assess- LaSalle Generating Station is a nuclear power fa- ment. IEF cility located about 75 miles southwest of near Marseilles, Ill. At full power, the facility’s two reactors produce more than 2,200 megawatts of carbon free electricity, enough to power 2.3 million

typical homes. IEF

ILLINOIS ENERGY FORUM 4 SEPTEMBER, 2019

______IRPS Conference To Be NARUC Annual Convention Held on October 22-23 in San Antonio

The Institute for Regulatory Policy studies at Illinois State University is sponsoring a con- The National Association of Regulatory ference entitled “Increasing Renewables and Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will hold its Competition in a Digital Age” on Tuesday and Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas, from Wednesday, October 22-23, 2019 at the Abra- November 17-20, 2019. State Commissioners ham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, Illinois. and staff members from around the country will For more information and registration, please meet in various committees and subcommittees visit the IRPS website at www.irps.ilstu.edu IEF with an eye toward developing NARUC policy on several important issues of interest to the regulatory community. Members of the Illinois Commerce Commis- sion serve on key NARUC policy committees. An Illinois Night Reception will be held on Mon- day, November 18. IEF

Illinois Energy Forum is published monthly by the Illinois Energy Association, Springfield, Illinois. For questions or comments, please contact James Monk at 217-523-7348 or e-mail at [email protected]. For name or e-mail address changes, contact Erica Drake at 217-523-7348, fax at 217-523-0643, or e-mail at [email protected].