Nicor Gas Future of Gas Workshop

Future of Gas Workshop - Discussion Topics

Under the Commission’s direction, the Future of Gas proceeding should fully explore potential issues involved with decarbonization of the gas distribution system, develop recommendations for future Commission action, and develop recommendations for any necessary legislative changes.

• Potential for decarbonization of the existing gas system, including possible technical constraints, hard to decarbonize end-uses, and methodologies for achieving decarbonization;
• If decarbonization requires a shift to electric distribution, the timing of such a shift;
• Workforce development/job impact considerations;
• The role and scope of energy efficiency retrofits;
• Cost considerations;
• Stranded assets of the gas distribution system and planning methods to mitigate the issue;
• Strategies for identifying and managing infrastructure that is nearing the end of its useful life;
• The need for future integrated systems planning between gas and electric systems;
• The need for line extensions on the gas distribution system and the need for rulemaking to modify existing codified line extension allowances;
• The ability, costs, and timing of ramping up the electric distribution system to meet expanding load;
• Additional electric distribution infrastructure needed,
• Interaction with utilities’ existing electric multi-year rate and spending plans;
• Potential uses for any existing gas infrastructure which may not be needed after the transition;
• The effects of federal and state public policy that supports electrification of the gas system;
• Legislative and regulatory changes needed to effectuate any needed transition;
• Issues unique to propane and other liquid fuel customers; and
• Other issues determined by ICC staff as necessary for the most thorough discussion possible.

Staff will work with interested stakeholders to further describe and expand upon these categories as the workshops progress.

Future of Gas Workshop Timeline
Phase 1
Phase 1 of the workshop series is designed to describe and expand on the issues outlined in the Commission’s March 2024 initiating order, as well identify issues related to decarbonization and the gas sector.

Phase 2
Phase 2 of the workshop series will examine the issues identified in Phase 1 to address stakeholder positions and perspectives, including areas of disagreement; assess short-, medium-, and long-term horizons; consider proposed legislation and/or regulatory solutions to individual topics; and present recommendations for ICC action where relevant.

Join from the meeting link https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=mc0851b5f0cf4c743d9e794b604d283d4