A major step forward for energy data access in Illinois

Illinois’ newly passed Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) has earned national attention for its focus on lowering energy costs and strengthening grid reliability. And for good reason.

The policy requires Illinois utilities to add 3 gigawatts of grid-scale energy storage by 2030 and to scale programs that reward customers for contributing flexible demand using technologies such as batteries, smart thermostats, and electric vehicle chargers. Supporters see the law as a blueprint for how states can strengthen grid reliability while controlling costs. According to the Illinois Power Agency, the CRGA is expected to deliver $13.4 billion in consumer savings over the next two decades.

Affordability is clearly at the center of the legislation. But one of its most consequential, and less discussed, outcomes is even more foundational: it makes energy data access the law, not a courtesy.

Making utility data access a legal requirement

Tucked within the CRGA is a provision that fundamentally changes how energy usage data must be handled in Illinois. For the first time, utilities across the state are required to retain, share, and continuously update customer energy usage data when customers authorize it.

This matters because access to high-quality utility data is a prerequisite for almost everything the law aims to enable — from demand response and energy efficiency to benchmarking, reporting, and clean energy participation. Without reliable data access, affordability and flexibility programs struggle to scale.

The CRGA doesn’t just encourage better data practices. It requires them.

The new requirements for utility data sharing

Under Section 5-15 of the Act, Illinois utilities must implement a standardized, customer-directed data access framework through rules established by the Illinois Commerce Commission. In practical terms, this means:

1. Utilities must retain and share historical usage data. Utilities are required to keep at least five years of customer usage data and make that data available when an account holder authorizes sharing, including historical data, not just forward-looking information.
2. Customers can authorize direct data sharing with third parties. With customer approval, utilities must transmit covered usage data directly to a third party designated by the customer. This removes the need for repeated manual requests or one-off exports and enables ongoing data access.
3. Aggregated building data must be available for benchmarking. For qualifying buildings and properties, utilities must provide aggregated usage data, including all associated meters and the information needed to ensure data quality. This is especially important for commercial and multifamily properties subject to benchmarking or reporting requirements.
4. Data access must be digital, standardized, and secure. Utilities must accept online data requests, use authentication processes that are no more burdensome than existing customer portals, and deliver data in standard formats aligned with approved benchmarking tools. Large electric utilities are required to upload data directly into those tools rather than relying on manual file transfers.
5. Data must be timely, ongoing, and corrected when needed. Crucially, all covered usage data must be provided at no cost to the data recipient.

While the CRGA does not mandate a timeline for adoption, it requires that the Illinois Commerce Commission draft and adopt the implementation rules within two years. Taken together, these requirements establish energy data as durable infrastructure, something customers can rely on continuously, not something they have to repeatedly chase.

Why this matters for Arcadia customers

For Arcadia customers operating in Illinois, the CRGA provides more than policy ambition, it provides clarity and consistency.

This law:

• Reduces friction when accessing utility data
• Improves the completeness and reliability of usage histories
• Supports benchmarking, reporting, and clean energy participation at scale
• Creates a clearer regulatory foundation for customer-authorized data sharing

And critically, it signals where Illinois is headed: toward a system where energy data flows as easily as energy itself, enabling smarter decisions, lower costs, and more flexible participation in the clean energy transition.

While the Illinois Commerce Commission will finalize implementation details through its rulemaking process, the direction is clear: data access is no longer optional, it’s essential. Arcadia has been actively engaged in these proceedings and has worked closely with the Commission through its data-sharing working group to help shape practical, customer-focused implementation. That engagement is focused on one goal: ensuring customers have reliable, secure, and usable access to their energy data as these new requirements take effect.

At Arcadia, we see this as a critical step toward a more transparent, customer-centered energy system. And for customers in Illinois, it’s a meaningful shift that will make it easier to turn data into action.

Still, while we commend Illinois legislators for the initiative, policy takes time to become practice. Between rulemaking and utility compliance, it could be years before businesses feel the impact of this law. In today’s market, you can’t afford to wait a decade for the data you need now.

Arcadia is already the industry leader in solving this challenge. By working directly with more than 10,000 utilities across 50+ countries, we provide the validated, standardized usage and billing data you need today. Whether you are scaling carbon reporting or demand response, we’ve built the infrastructure so you don't have to wait. Get in touch with our team today to learn more.