Officials say ComEd may start doling out relief soon

By MIKE RIOPELL, JG/T-C Springfield Bureau
May 9, 2007

SPRINGFIELD — ComEd officials said Tuesday they’ll soon begin paying out $44 million in relief to northern Illinois customers this year to compensate for high power bills.

But Ameren says they’re not ready to go that far yet.

Ameren and ComEd previously combined to offer customers about $150 million in credits — but said they wouldn’t pay until lawmakers backed off a proposal to cut rates to 2006 levels.

But now, ComEd says they’ll go alone anyway, offering $64 million over three years mostly to seniors, low-income customers and people who heat their houses with electricity. They’ll pull the money if lawmakers rollback rates.

"It's real relief, and it’s relief that’s right around the corner,” said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd senior vice president of regulatory and external affairs.

Ameren is offering $73 million in credits, but spokesman Leigh Morris says the company hasn’t changed its opinion that lawmakers have to back off before Ameren will pay up.

“We cannot do so while there is the possibility of a rate rollback,” he said.

That plan has stalled even though both the House and Senate have passed dueling versions of the rollback. Legislative leaders have yet to compromise on a solution.

ComEd hopes to begin crediting bills in June, Pramaggiore said. But some of its plans still must be approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. ICC spokeswoman Beth Bosch said that could happen as early as next week.

ComEd's move Tuesday comes as hundreds are expected to rally in Springfield today.

State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, said that because the electric rates issue has simmered in Springfield for months with no results, a different way to try to get attention is needed. Estimates have the crowd growing to 500 or more.

Flider said ComEd's decision is the right thing to do and Ameren should follow suit. Still, he and other lawmakers have maintained that the utilities’ offers are not enough to keep them from wanting to rollback rates.

State Rep. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare, represents ComEd customers and said he needs to see more relief offered before he could be convinced to oppose cutting rates.

"I think there’s more that needs to happen," he said.

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