Citizens Utility Board Alerts: ComEd to Raise Electricity Rates Starting June 1

CHICAGO (WLS) — Your monthly ComEd bill could soon be going up as much as $10 a month.

Starting June 1, prices are expected to rise significantly, according to the utility company.

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There will be about a 10 to 15% increase in your electric bill and it will stay that way for the next year.

The Citizens Utility Board estimates the increase could cost customers an extra $10.50 a month.

ComEd reports that due to influences like severe weather and surges in consumption from major energy users such as data centers, the demand is surpassing the available supply, leading to increased costs. Consequently, the capacity charge will rise for all ComEd customers.

That’s the extra payment customers pay power plant operators, so they have enough reserve electricity available.

“Over the next year, customers might be charged more than $100 extra on their electricity bills,” stated Jim Chilsen, the communications director at CUB. “What’s frustrating is that this predicament could have been avoided entirely.”

The non-profit watchdog group says this price spike is because of years of bad policy at the regional power grid operator: PJM Interconnection.

CUB is calling on ComEd to works with customers who will struggle to stay connected.

“While many people may not be familiar with PJM, this relatively obscure power grid operator greatly affects our billing,” noted Clara Sumers, who manages CUB’s Consumers For a Better Grid campaign. “Regrettably, PJM’s policies often support outdated, polluting power plants and result in higher electricity bills for consumers.”

On their website, ComEd has energy-saving tips and bill assistance options as well as a low-income discount program to help manage these new higher costs.