The leader of Illinois' largest utility is appealing to lawmakers’ competitive spirits to get them on board with overhauling energy regulations. Com-Ed CEO Ann Pramaggiore says many Fortune 500 companies have committed to meeting sustainable energy goals.
"No one has claimed this leadership mantle. New York is in the race… The big California cities are contenders as well. And while they have more technology than New York, their markets are no more robust… Clean energy leadership is Chicago’s for the taking.”
Pramaggiore says Illinois is on its way… thanks to a four-year-old law that raised consumers' rates to pay for a modern electric grid. Now, Com-Ed is seeking another revision of rates. At the same time, Com-Ed's parent company, Exelon, is gunning for a state subsidy to help pay for unprofitable nuclear plants in Clinton and the Quad Cities.
Pramaggiore says negotiations with wind and solar advocates are ongoing. But what she characterizes as an opportunity… critics say is a bailout for a huge company, to the detriment of customers.
