Starting in January 2016, ComEd’s residential customers will save on their monthly bills thanks to company’s smart grid program.
When you look at your electricity bill statement, most of us want to either cringe or jump up for joy if we’ve either gone under or over our monthly bill. Starting in January 2016, approximately 1 million customers will save on their monthly bills thanks to ComEd’s smart meter program.
Today, ComEd filed its annual delivery service formula rate request for distribution or “delivery” of electricity, reflecting a decrease of approximately $50 million compared to 2015 and resulting in a decrease of about $1 on the average monthly residential bill starting in January 2016. In addition, new energy supply rates established by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) will result in an additional reduction of $2 for customers who choose to receive their energy supply from ComEd, lowering their total customer bill by about $3.
“The delivery service rate reduction is the result of a number of factors, including continued focus on strong cost management throughout the company, as well as operational efficiencies that are being realized from having a stronger, more reliable grid with fewer outages,” said Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO, ComEd. “We are delivering on the promises of the Smart Grid law, improving reliability and, as established by the law, passing overall savings to our customers in a timely fashion.”
Today’s filing complies with the annual rate-setting process established by the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA) or Smart Grid law. In submitting their annual rate requests, utilities must submit their previous year’s actual expenses and the current year’s projected capital investments. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) then has eight months to fully review and make a determination on the rate request.
The lower energy supply rates, which take effect June 1, reflect the procurement event conducted earlier this month by the IPA, which buys electricity on behalf of Illinois utilities. ComEd also filed today with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for its annual adjustment in transmission rates. This filing reflects investments in high-voltage lines to improve system reliability, partly as the result of coal plant retirements, and new investments being made to ensure the continued efficient flow of low-cost electricity in the region. The bill impact of this filing for the average residential customer is negligible.
This may seem like a foreign language for the average customer who is challenged with the fluctuation of rate charges but this new technology is placing the utility company at the top of their game. By 2018, approximately 3.3 million households in Northern Illinois will have the smart meters so that ComEd can respond in emergency outages, improve customer services and give customers back ‘real time’ electricity usage for each household.
Smart Grid investments are improving the strength and reliability of the electric system. Since 2012, there have been more than 3.3 million avoided customer interruptions, including 1.2 million in 2014 due largely to increased investments in distribution automation or digital “smart switches” that automatically route power around potential problem areas. Outage avoidance has saved customers an estimated $175 million.
In 2014, ComEd’s reliability performance was in the top 10 percent of comparable U.S. utilities, the company’s second best performance on record; performance in 2013 was the best on record. Storm hardening work and storm restoration improvements have resulted in 30 percent faster restoration times.
So, finally if you’re wondering what our state legislators actually do in Springfield, working with companies like ComEd to improve viable infrastructures is a very important stride in delivering quality and affordable service to Illinois residents. The commitment of bringing a $415 million investment in diversity and women businesses since 2013 increased by 26 percent.
Their most recent announcement of the ComEd training center breaking ground in the Bridgeport community to work with current employees and the Chicago Public Schools to train students directly out of high school is a long term commitment overseen by Kevin Brookins, Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development for ComEd. In addition to bringing jobs in the Chatham community through a special press conference involving Congressman Bobby L. Rush (IL). The company is projected to train 4,000 workers once the training facility opens in early 2016 bringing economic stimulation and jobs to a challenged economy.
This legislation – ComEd’s Future Energy Plan, Senate Bill 1879 — would expand access to renewable energy and increase energy efficiency while enhancing the resiliency and security of the system and meeting the growing demand among energy consumers for more choice and personalized services.
“We’re focused on helping customers realize the benefits and savings of smart grid technology today, while leveraging this new foundation to deliver new services and value streams tomorrow,” said Pramaggiore. “We’re committed to enabling our customers to take full advantage of the new technologies transforming the way electricity is distributed and used by our customers.”
For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.