The CEO of Commonwealth Edison says the utility is continuing to push for changes that failed to win legislative approval in the spring. Anne Pramaggiore told an audience at the City Club of Chicago that a 20-11 so-called "smart grid" law has led to savings and a more reliable power network. But she says further improvements -- like microgrids that can keep electricity flowing when there's an outage, and charging stations for electric cars -- depends on help from Springfield.
"This promising future is no foregone conclusion. It requires leadership - just like in 2011 with the Smart Grid -- and it requires legislative action, just like in 2011 with the Smart Grid. And we all know that our state is occupied by some of the heavier issues of our times."
Pramaggiore says the utility giant is working with other stakeholders to "find common ground." ComEd had introduced a proposal that would change how the rates it charges for delivering electricity are set. Critics -- including a renewable energy coalition -- say the measure was designed to hike ComEd's profits. Legislators shelved that plan, and a couple of others -- including one from ComEd's parent company, Exelon --- during their regular session. Since, Exelon has announced that it will hold off on its threatened closure of certain nuclear plants.