ComEd lobbies Illinois lawmakers to develop 6 microgrids
In the wake of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, which left millions on the east coast without power, ComEd has been pushing to develop a series of microgrids it says can help the state meet clean energy goals while also providing resiliency for critical services. But to install the grids, ComEd will need state lawmakers to approve its Future Energy Plan legislation. And in addition to funding the northern Illinois grid projects, the utility is pitching it as a jobs bill.
ComEd said 4,600 local jobs have been created by the state’s original microgrid legislation and the Future Energy Plan would continue that trend, adding hundreds of jobs to develop infrastructure.
The microgrid pilot project is one of the components of ComEd’s Future Energy Plan, ComEd president and CEO Anne Pramaggiore said in a statement, and it is “focused on helping our communities and customers leverage smart grid investments and take advantage of emerging technologies that will deliver the clean, custom, dependable and affordable energy future that our customers need and want.”
The city’s airport is a “critical economic driver,” said Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey, as well as being integral the transportation system. “A self-reliant microgrid at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport will help our region attract more jobs and improve the security and resiliency of our national air transportation network,” Morrissey said.
