ICC Rejects ComEd and Ameren Illinois’ Multi-Year Integrated Grid Plans
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[December 15, 2023]
Chicago, IL – Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission
(ICC) rejected Ameren Illinois and ComEd’s integrated grid plans by a
4-1 vote, finding that both companies failed to comply with several
components of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The ICC’s
decisions require both utilities to file an updated grid plan within
three months of the final order.
“The Commission’s decisions today protect Illinois ratepayers and the
goals CEJA created. Illinois’ utilities are specifically required to
consider affordability and cost-effectiveness so that customers are not
unfairly asked to shoulder undue costs tied to the state’s energy
transition,” said ICC Chairman Doug Scott. “While we are not yet at the
finish line, compliant plans from the state’s largest utilities will
help lead us to an energy transition that works for all Illinoisans.”
Specifically, the Commission’s decisions found that both utilities
failed to sufficiently incorporate customer affordability into their
proposals and their grid plans did not outline how 40 percent of plan
benefits will be directed to low-income and environmental justice
communities, among other shortcomings.
Changes under CEJA require the state’s largest investor-owned electric
utilities to file multi-year integrated grid plans, which are designed
to accelerate progress on Illinois’ clean energy and environmental goals
while holding electric companies accountable for their performance. The
ICC has issued these decisions after closely scrutinizing Ameren and
ComEd’s grid plans and additional materials submitted by the utility,
Commission Staff, and various intervenors over an 11-month legal
proceeding, as well as previous stakeholder workshops.
These proceedings are consolidated with the utilities’ respective
multi-year rate plans (2024-2027), and while the Commission has the
authority to reject the multi-year integrated grid plan, it must approve
or amend the utilities’ rate plans. As a result of the rejected grid
plans, the utilities cannot immediately move forward with various grid
investments proposed, and therefore, they were necessarily removed from
the rate plans.
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The Commission decisions approve an 8.72 and 8.905 percent return on
equity (ROE) for Ameren and ComEd respectively, a reduction from the
utilities’ requested 10.50 percent ROEs.
More information regarding Ameren’s multi-year integrated grid and
rate plans can be found in Docket Nos.
23-0082/23-0487, and more information regarding ComEd’s
multi-year integrated grid and rate plans can be found in Docket
Nos.
23-0055/23-0486.
About the Illinois Commerce Commission
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is a quasi-judicial body made
up of five Commissioners. Through its Public Utility Program, the
Commission oversees the provision of adequate, reliable, efficient,
and safe utility services at the least possible cost to Illinois
citizens served by electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water,
and sewer public utility companies. Through its Transportation
Regulatory Program, the Commission oversees public safety and
consumer protection programs with regard to intrastate commercial
motor carriers of general freight, household goods movers,
relocation towers, safety towers, personal property warehouses and
repossession agencies. The Commission’s Rail Safety Program also
inspects and regulates the general safety of railroad tracks,
facilities, and equipment in the state.
To learn more about the Commission, its offices and bureaus, click
here. If
you are a consumer who needs help resolving a utility dispute call
800-524-0795 or file an online complaint
here.
For a complaint related to transportation, call 217-782-6448.
Follow the Illinois Commerce Commission on social media @ILCommerceComm
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