Larry Walsh

Creates the Transmission Ownership and Reliability Act. Defines terms. Provides that all new electric transmission facilities located wholly or partly within the geographic boundaries of the State shall be owned, operated, and maintained exclusively by a Commission-regulated and investor-owned utility. Provides that any entity proposing to construct a new electric transmission facility in the State shall obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the construction of electric transmission facilities shall comply with all provisions of the Electric Transmission Systems Construction Standards Act and that third-party constructors shall adhere to prevailing wage, safety, and diversity requirements under that Act. Sets forth rulemaking provisions. Provides that any entity that constructs or operates an electric transmission facility in violation of the Act may be subject to monetary penalties, revocation of certification, or transfer orders issued by the Commission. Amends the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act. Provides that, to qualify as a "community-based organization", an organization must demonstrate, among other things, a plan to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL). Creates the Transmission Efficiency and Cooperation Law within the Public Utilities Act. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner has the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line that has been approved for construction in a transmission plan and that will connect to facilities that are owned by the incumbent electric transmission owner and are or will be under the functional control of a regional transmission operator. Provides that the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line belongs individually and proportionally to each incumbent electric transmission owner, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Provides that proportionality shall be determined based on the location of the electric transmission line relative to each incumbent electric transmission owner's retail service territory. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner may assign its right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line to a transmission affiliate. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.