Under Section 6.4 of the Indexed REC Contract, to demonstrate compliance with the MES the following reports must be submitted to the IPA for each delivery year for which Construction Activities have been performed or will be performed; MES Compliance Plan. The first MES Compliance Plan shall be submitted to the IPA within thirty (30) … Continue reading What reports are required to comply with MES?
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Indexed REC-36: What are the additional avenues for fulfilling the MES?
The IPA encourages applicants to utilize all possible means for identifying, recruiting, and hiring EEPs, especially those that qualify by virtue of their status as formerly incarcerated, a graduate of the foster care system, or a resident of an equity investment eligible community. The Long-Term Plan outlined several strategies that may be useful: Working with … Continue reading What are the additional avenues for fulfilling the MES?
Indexed REC-35: What is the status of FEJA- and CEJA-funded workforce training programs?
The Department of Commerce and Economic Development (“DCEO”) has awarded funding for FEJA-funded workforce training programs, the management of which passed to DCEO under CEJA. CEJA also created several new workforce training programs to be managed by DCEO, the funding for which DCEO has not yet allocated. The IPA does not expect those training programs … Continue reading What is the status of FEJA- and CEJA-funded workforce training programs?
Indexed REC-34: What is the Energy Workforce Equity Portal? What role does it play in a Seller’s Compliance Plan and outreach efforts?
CEJA directs the IPA to develop an Energy Workforce Database in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Development that consists of a searchable database of vendors, suppliers, and contractors that are minority and women-owned business enterprise certified or are certified as EECs. The IPA’s Energy Workforce Equity Portal is designed to help connect … Continue reading What is the Energy Workforce Equity Portal? What role does it play in a Seller’s Compliance Plan and outreach efforts?
Indexed REC-33: What is required at the time of bid for Bidders that do not wish to commit to an Equity Level (%) greater than the Minimum Equity Standard of 10%?
As provided in paragraph IV.3.1. of the Final Rules for the Indexed REC Procurement Event: An officer of the Seller must acknowledge that if the Date of First Operation for a Project is on or after December 15, 2022, a Minimum Equity Standard of 10% applies to the project workforce for each delivery year in … Continue reading What is required at the time of bid for Bidders that do not wish to commit to an Equity Level (%) greater than the Minimum Equity Standard of 10%?
Indexed REC-32: Is a Compliance Plan required at the time of bid?
No. As provided in the Indexed REC RFP Rules, only if a Bidder optionally elects to commit to an Equity Level (%) greater than the Minimum Equity Standard of 10% is a plan required at the time of bid. In this case one of the requirements includes: [The] Bidder must provide a narrative plan to … Continue reading Is a Compliance Plan required at the time of bid?
Indexed REC-31: Are suppliers required to submit Compliance Plans related to the MES under the indexed REC contract? Where can I find the MES Compliance Plan Form?
CEJA requires that applicants comply with the MES through a Compliance Plan submitted at the start of the delivery year. Section 1-75(c-10)(1)(A) directs that: At the start of each delivery year, the Agency shall require a compliance plan from each entity participating in a procurement program of subsection (c) of this Section [1-75] that demonstrates … Continue reading Are suppliers required to submit Compliance Plans related to the MES under the indexed REC contract? Where can I find the MES Compliance Plan Form?
Indexed REC-30: Who makes up the “project workforce” for the purpose of the MES?
The 2022 Long-Term Plan, as approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, adopts the following definition of “project workforce”: Employees, contractors and their employees, and subcontractors and their employees, whose job duties are directly required by or substantially related to the development, construction, and operation of a project that is participating in or intended to participate … Continue reading Who makes up the “project workforce” for the purpose of the MES?
Indexed REC-29: Who qualifies as an Equity Eligible Person?
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (“CEJA”) defines an equity eligible person as: persons who graduate from or are current or former participants in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program, the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program, or the Clean Energy Primes Contractor … Continue reading Who qualifies as an Equity Eligible Person?
Indexed REC-28: What is the Minimum Equity Standard? How does it relate to the Equity Accountability System?
The Minimum Equity Standard is a minimum percentage of an applicant’s project workforce that must be comprised of Equity Eligible Persons. Please see additional FAQs below for definitions of “project workforce” and “Equity Eligible Person.” The Equity Accountability System is the umbrella suite of policy levers and standards included in the Illinois Power Agency Act … Continue reading What is the Minimum Equity Standard? How does it relate to the Equity Accountability System?