Lawmakers To Resume Debate On ComEd ‘Smart-Grid’ Bill

October 24, 2011 6:16 AM

A ComEd truck parked behind a home after storms caused power outages on June 21, 2011. (Credit: CBS)

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CHICAGO (CBS) — Lawmakers will again be debating Senate Bill 1652, the Smart Grid legislation, this week.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Michele Fiore reports, to get past Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of the bill, the state Senate needs another five votes, and the House another four. Quinn is hoping that won’t happen.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Michele Fiore reports

“Sustaining this veto is the most important consumer issue that we’ve faced in a long, long time,” Quinn said.

Quinn has pointed out that the bill would give ComEd the green light to raise utility rates every year for the next decade.

Speaking against the bill over the weekend, Quinn was joined by representatives of AARP in Chicago, where most of the 800 registered voters surveyed believe they already have reliable electric service.

William McNairy of Citizens Action Illinois says that means most oppose a rate increase.

“We’re being squeezed on every side – record unemployment, record foreclosures, record poverty – now we’re being asked to guarantee Commonwealth Edison an automatic annual utility increase every year,” McNairy said.

AARP state director Bob Gallo calls the bill a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and says it’s a terrible deal for consumers.

Officials from ComEd say the public is suffering without a smart grid.

They say some of the major power outages this past summer would not have lasted as long if their desired smart-grid upgrade of their distribution system had taken place, and they are working to line up votes to have Quinn’s veto overturned.

ComEd and Ameren say the bill would upgrade the power grid, put people to work, and overhaul the regulatory system.

Supporters of the legislation have said the $3 billion, 10-year plan is needed to fund a “Smart Grid” that would monitor energy use and reduce waste. The legislation would have provided ComEd and its downstate counterpart, Ameren, with money for basic infrastructure for the “Smart Grid.”

ComEd has argued that converting to a “Smart Grid” would eventually save customers approximately $3 billion over a 20-year period by providing daily usage information that would help them monitor costs.

Lawmakers To Resume Debate On ComEd Smart Grid Bill

Wolf

There is no need for a debate ..this investment should be made by ComEd since it will reduce operation cost and lower manpower requirements dramatically. This is a standard investment a business makes to grow and the savings will more than pay for the loan they need today. Funny how these pseudo monopolies want to have the taxpayers to remove the risk and only they get the benefits and profits. This is the type of fraud that is systemic in our public sector operations today. No public involvement here it is purely a decision of the Company.

Taxpayer

I also agree, there is no need for a debate. This issue came up with the storms this summer. I have a feeling that the people that whined and cried that their power went out and had to wait for repairs to be completed, are the same ones that are against this upgrade. ComEd is a company in the a free market system. Their goal is to turn a profit the same as any other company. If people don’t want the upgrades, then don’t whine when your power goes out. ComEd is going to continue to make money with or without the upgrades, so don’t expect anything to happen until everyone is willing to absorb the cost!!!

ATTABOY

IF COMED WANTS TO IMPROVE THEIR “GRID” SYSTEM GO AT IT….BUT WITH THAT COMPANY’S MONEY. iTS LIKE ME NEEDING A ROOF REPAIR AND TELLING MY NEIGHBORS WITH THEIR FINANCIAL HELP IN BUILDING AND REPAIRING MY ROOF THEY WOULD ALL BENEFIT, HOW?…EXACTLY! WOLF IS RIGHT NO PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT…INCLUDING OUR MONEY…IT IS PURELY A COMPANY DECISION…WHETHER THEY WANT TO SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY OR NOT.
Jmason

Back in the 50′s & 60′s we were told that atom power was future and cost would be low. Well we know how that turn out.
R. DiNanno

Wolf is right!!!

ComEd must stop giving huge undeserved salaries and bonuses to their Employees….YES, the CEO.CFO etal are EMPLOYEES…. and use their income on maintaining the system.. That is not what they have been doing with their monopoly’s funds.

Legislators must not vote with ComEd or their lobbyists or their ‘donation$…
Legislator are mandated to represent their constituents who are voters..not the corporations who are not citizens thus cannot vote.
hankwill

Remember the added cost to our ComEd bills to build the nuke plants all threw the 1960′s into the 1990′s.?As soon as the nuke plants became profitable ComEd sold them off to a private company(Exelon)We the customer paid to have them built and then ComEd sold them off.Wake up people.The politicians are in bed with ComEd on this.Let Them know that you are watching them.R.DiNanno is spot on.I worked 39 years for ComEd and never missed working a storm in that time.Don’t fall for this ComEd”Snake Oil”.