Coast to Coast: Big News for Building Electrification
By Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
November 2025
Two key decisions, Rinnai v. South Coast Air Quality Management District and Mulhern Gas v. Mosley, rejected arguments that challenged New York's all-electric requirement for new buildings. This perhaps demonstrates a shift from and the limitations to California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley, which held that applicable federal law preempts state and local electric requirements.
Editor’s Note
By Nick Oliver
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
November 2025
A note from the Editor of the Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation Section Newsletter regarding the current issue and what's to come in the field of energy regulation in light of new laws in Illinois.
A Snapshot of State Appliance Standards in 2025
By 2050 Partners
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
November 2025
A look into codes and standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy bills, and bolstering grid resilience. This article discusses current codes and standards that exist and expands upon opportunities for regulatory standards, opportunities for states, and appliance efficiency through building codes.
Chair’s Report
By Craig J. Sondgeroth
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
June 2025
A note from the incoming chair on the year ahead.
A Final Note from the Outgoing Chair
By Alan Jedlicka
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
June 2025
As my term as Chair of the ISBA’s Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation Council comes to an end, I would like to thank you all for your collaboration, friendship, trust, and encouragement. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Chair and to work together on the issues and initiatives that impact our various practice areas and the diverse sectors we represent.
Illinois Has a “Climate Bank!” What Does It Do?
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
June 2025
The Illinois Climate Bank, created by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, funds clean energy and climate projects across the state. It supports grid upgrades, solar for low-income communities, EV charging, energy efficiency loans, and small business financing. Backed by federal and state funds, the bank promotes job creation, emissions reduction, and energy equity. A second fund, the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund, focuses on underserved communities, while rural areas benefit from the Green Bank for Rural America.
Chair’s Column
By Alan Jedlicka
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
April 2025
A note from the chair.
What’s Going on with Vehicle-to-Everything Laws in Illinois?
By Nick Oliver
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
April 2025
Welcome to “What’s going on with ____ in Illinois?” The author's goal for this new column is to provide an overview of emerging laws affecting the energy, utilities, transportation, and telecommunication industries in our state. For our first column in this series, the author focuses on the current state of vehicle-to-everything laws in Illinois.
Chair’s Column
By Alan Jedlicka
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
November 2024
A note from the chair.
Climate Change Litigation – States vs. States
By Craig R. Hedin
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
November 2024
Much has been written about states, cities, organizations, and other plaintiffs commencing litigation alleging that energy companies have misled the public about the damage that fossil fuels contribute to climate change. The lawsuits claim billions of dollars in damage from destructive weather allegedly attributable to climate change. Most cases have either been filed or returned to states for consideration. To date, SCOTUS has declined to address the issues raised by the litigation.
Editor’s Note
By Nick Oliver
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
November 2024
An introduction to the issue from the editor.
Illinois Paves Way for Carbon Capture and Sequestration with SAFE CCS Act
By Gabriel J. Salinas, Philip K. Lau, Ryan J. Silverman, & Juan Pablo Tablada Flores
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
November 2024
Illinois has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for the development of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects. The state's legislature has passed Senate Bill 1289, also known as the SAFE CCS Act, which was signed into law on July 18, 2024. This groundbreaking legislation was the result of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including industry representatives, environmental groups, and labor organizations.
The New Harmony (Harmony Way) Bridge Restoration Project Saving the Historic Bridge
By Ellen Schanzle-Haskins
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
May 2024
In 2019, Illinois and Indiana both passed legislation creating the State of Illinois New Harmony River Bridge Authority and the Indiana New Harmony and Wabash River Bridge Authority to restore the Harmony Way Bridge, which had closed in 2012 due to a lack of funding.
Sidebar: Harmony Way Bridge
By Eric Bramlet
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
May 2024
A sidebar to Ellen Schanzle-Haskins's article on the Harmony Way Bridge from the outgoing chair.
Call for Articles
Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation,
September 2023
A call for article submissions.
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