Illinois utility ComEd customers face higher summer electricity bills due to data center demand; CUB advocates for POWER Act
ComEd customers in Illinois are facing higher summer electricity bills for a second consecutive year, primarily due to increased energy demand from new and proposed data centers. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is advocating for the Illinois General Assembly to pass the POWER Act to implement reforms that would require data centers to bear a fairer share of energy costs and potentially bring their own clean power.
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) customers in Illinois are anticipating another summer of elevated electricity bills, largely attributed to the surge in energy demand from both new and proposed data centers. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a consumer watchdog group, has urged ComEd to support customers struggling with costs and called upon the Illinois General Assembly to enact reforms to shield consumers from data center-related energy expenses.
According to a tariff filed by ComEd on May 15, the summer supply rate (June through September) is set at 10.399 cents per kilowatt-hour, a significant increase of approximately 50 percent compared to two years ago. While a credit from the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) offers some relief, CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz expressed frustration over persistently high bills. She warned of potential future rolling blackouts and further price increases without legislative intervention.
CUB is actively supporting the POWER Act (SB 4016/HB 5513), which proposes common-sense reforms for data centers operating in Illinois. Key provisions of the act include requiring data centers to provide their own new clean power sources if they seek firm electric service, ensuring they pay their fair share of energy costs.