Commonwealth Electric is asking for a $6 million decrease in the amount it charges its customers compared to the rates in effect in January of this year, according to a Monday news release.

This filing was made with the Illinois Commerce Commission. It’s the fourth decrease out of nine rate requests since the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA) or “Smart Grid Law” was enacted in 2011. Each year the utility company requests rate changes to aid the company in reaching its goals required by law.

According to ComED, the law was designed to address long-term goals including regulatory reform, reliability and performance metrics, infrastructure modernization and Smart Grid investment. These objectives have improved reliability, reducing estimated bills, reducing customer costs associated with unaccounted consumption and theft and supporting minority women-owned businesses.

If approved, the request would decrease the average monthly total bill by 38 cents, bringing the average monthly residential building down about $83, according to the press release.

“ComEd customers have realized $655 million in direct economic value from avoided customer interruptions as a result of smart grid investments,” Joe Dominguez, CEO of ComEd, said in the press release.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @aocorrea1