Could data centers drive up Illinois electric bills? CUB says consumers need protection
The Citizens Utility Board says ComEd could spend about $3.1 billion on transmission and distribution upgrades to connect roughly 30 large-load projects, most of which it believes are data centers. CUB argues data center operators should cover those costs rather than Illinois households, and supports state and federal legislation requiring stronger consumer protections.
The Citizens Utility Board says documents filed by ComEd in a case before the Illinois Commerce Commission identify about 30 large-load projects that are believed to be mostly data centers. CUB representative Jim Chilson said ComEd projects roughly $3.1 billion in transmission and distribution upgrades to serve those customers, while collecting less than a quarter of that amount through deposits and other fees.
CUB contends that residential customers could ultimately bear the cost unless regulators and lawmakers require data centers to pay for the additional infrastructure they create. ComEd disputed CUB's comparison, saying the figure of $721 million in deposits was incomplete. Chilson called for passage of Illinois' proposed POWER Act and similar federal legislation, and urged consumers to contact elected officials and support the measures.