Patch on Politics

ComEd Wants You to Pay More for Electricity You Used Last Year

The utility wants lawmakers to amend a 2011 rate-hike law to allow the utility to retroactively collect money for electricity already used.

 The Illinois Senate Executive Committee unanimously approved a request by ComEd and Ameren to "clarify" a 2011 law that allowed the utilities to raise electricity rates, Illinois Public Radio reports. The clarification would allow the power companies to retroactively charge higher rates for the electricity you've already used, potentially raising up to $70 million for ComEd, according to Sun-Times Media. The 2011 law changed the formula used to determine charges. But the utilities say it didn't work as intended. They say regulators aren't letting them charge what they need. Now the companies are back, asking the legislature to pass another law, clarifying the old one.  (Says) ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore: "Without it we are stalled in these…

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Tom S

9:42 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013

Under the Smart Grid law passed in 2011, ComEd committed to spend $2.6 billion over 10 years to modernize the electric grid in Northern Illinois. The ICC's interpretation of the law reduced funding to complete the modernization program. As a result, ComEd faced a reduction in funding of nearly $100 million per year in 2014 and beyond. Without the additional funding, ComEd stated it could not …   more ›

Electric Aggregation Group Picks New Supplier; Savings on the Way for Lemont Residents

FirstEnergy Solutions offers a 42 percent savings compared to ComEd, officials say.

Lemont residents will start seeing a savings on their electric bills this fall, with the average household saving $300 per year thanks to a new electric aggregation deal. On Thursday, the Will Electric Aggregation Group selected FirstEnergy Solutions as the new electricity supplier for member communities, including Lemont, Plainfield, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Woodridge, Channahon and Shorewood. The move will mean a 42-percent savings compared with the current rate of 8.32 cents per kilowatt hour charged by Commonwealth Edison. That adds up to a savings of $300 per year for the average household, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Will Electric Aggregation Group. Mayor Brian Reaves said Lemont residents will receive notices…

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Be Wary of Companies Selling Electricity by Phone, Official Says

The Will County Governmental League's Hugh O'Hara warns that there are firms fraudulently telling people they are the approved electrical aggregation provider, which is not true.

The Will County Governmental League is warning residents to beware of disreputable companies hoping to take advantage of people eager to cash in on lower electric rates through aggregation. People in Romeoville, Channahon, Braidwood and elsewhere have reported getting calls from companies misrepresenting themselves as being the business chosen by the towns that are part of the electrical aggregation cooperative, said Hugh O'Hara, transportation director for the government league. "Don't give them any information," O'Hara said. The companies are selling electricity, and if someone signs a contract that locks them in to a rate, they won't be able to get the rate negotiated by the league. It's anticipated that electricity costs could go down …

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Energy Saving Tips from ComEd

As temperatures are expected to surpass 100 degrees this week, ComEd offers tips on how to reduce energy use and save on bills.

As oppresively hot temperatures continue through Friday, ComEd offers tips on how to reduce energy use and save on energy bills. For more energy-saving tips, visit ComEd's Smart Ideas Section. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  There are plenty of ways to keep up on Lemont news:

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ComEd Works to Restore Power for 250,000 Customers

The utility said it had restored 124,000 customers as of 12:30 a.m. Monday after a storm that featured high winds, rain and hail Sunday afternoon.

The following comes from a Commonwealth Edison release: More than 360 ComEd crews are working around the clock to restore power after a severe storm tore through the Chicago area, causing power outages for more than 250,000 customers. As of 12:30 a.m. Monday, power has been restored to over 96,000 customers. The storm struck suddenly and violently. According to the National Weather Service, the western suburbs experienced wind gusts of 60 to 90 mph, heavy rain and pounding hail. In Addison, more than an inch of rain fell in 25 minutes. There were a total of 3,400 lightning strokes recorded, primarily in the west and south.   The hardest-hit areas are in ComEd’s northern region, where the utility is working with municipal officials and …

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Lemont Man Honored for Outstanding Volunteer Service to Burn Survivors

ComEd’s parent company, Exelon, awards $10,000 grant to honor David Schury.

ComEd employee David Schury of Lemont received an achievement award for his volunteer service with the Tragedy to Triumph Foundation. The volunteer recognition is part of Exelon’s companywide annual Energy for the Community Volunteer Awards and comes with a $10,000 cash grant to the foundation in Schury’s honor.  Schury, an area operator with Exelon subsidiary ComEd, and his wife Michele created the Tragedy to Triumph Foundation in 2010. The foundation provides college scholarships to area burn survivors. To date, the foundation has raised more than $70,000 to fund 13 scholarships.  The foundation also raises funds to send injured electrical workers to the annual World Burn Congress for support in their emotional and physical recovery. “…

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Eco-Mom

Take Advantage of the Energy Assessment You’re Already Paying For

Eco-Mom BJ Marshall is back with the scoop on a $99 energy audit conducted through ComEd and NICOR.

I owe you a big “Thank you!” It was really nice of you to help me pay for my three-hour home energy assessment.  What? You don’t remember send me a check? It wasn’t a check. It was included on your energy bill.  That’s right. Check last month’s ComEd and NICOR bills and you’ll see a line item marked “Environmental Cost Recovery.” It’s one of those small fees that we often overlook. At least I did, until Elizabeth, the energy advisor who conducted my assessment, pointed it out to me. The money from that fee goes into an Energy Efficiency Trust Fund administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Part of it is used for the Smart Ideas program run by ComEd and NICOR to keep them in compliance with a 2007 law that…

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Amanda Luevano

10:03 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012

That was originally in the article, but I believe you had to schedule before May 1.   more ›

Lights Out For Incandescent Bulbs?

New federal energy-efficiency standards could soon make them obsolete.

After nearly 200 years, the standard incandescent lightbulb could go the way of the dinosaur. New federal guidelines requiring more energy-efficient lighting products mean that by 2014, old-fashioned bulbs will be a thing of the past. “Traditional incandescent light bulbs will soon join the likes of clunky computer monitors, Betamax video tapes, dial-up modems, Walkmans and black-and-white TVs — they’ll be obsolete,” ComEd said in a press release. The reason is the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, which sets new standards for consumer products, including appliances and lighting. The law requires manufacturers to produce new lightbulbs that consume about 25 percent less electricity, making way for more innovative and efficient …

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The Ins and Outs of Electric Aggregation

A quick Q&A about the electric aggregation referendum, which Lemont voters will see on their ballots on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s primary election isn’t all about political candidates. Voters in the Village of Lemont will also see a referendum on electric aggregation nestled at the bottom of their ballots. It’s somewhat complicated, but we conducted a quick Q&A session with ourselves to help explain it. Q:  Electric aggre-what now? What is this? A: Basically, voters will decide whether village leaders can negotiate for cheaper electric rates for homes and small businesses. A state law that took effect in January makes this possible, and Lemont wants to take advantage of it. If the referendum passes, every home in the village, and every business in the 0-100kW range will be included. Q: Cheaper electric rates? I like that. How does it work? A: Strength in …

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ComEd Warns Customers: Be Wary of Scam Artists

In the last two months, 28 customers have reported falling victim to phony utility workers.

ComEd is warning area residents to be on the lookout for scam artists posing as utility workers. The company said it has seen an increase in incidents, with 28 reports in the last two months alone from customers who were duped into disclosing credit card information, handing over cash to scam artists or allowing impersonators to enter their homes. “Last year, ComEd received 13 reports of impersonation incidents,” said Kevin Brookins, senior vice president for strategy and administration at ComEd. In most of the incidents, the impersonators identified themselves as utility employees. Many of the fraudsters dressed the part, wearing a hard hat, items bearing a utility company logo or an orange safety vest. In other cases, the culprits …

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