ComEd plans joint operation centers to handle storms

ComEd officials announced plans Wednesday to enhance the company's response to widespread outages in the suburbs in the wake of complaints during last year's storm season that left some residents without power for a week or more.

The centerpiece of the new initiative is the creation of 17 “Joint Operations Centers” spread throughout state to act as coordinated headquarters for ComEd emergency response teams and the 400 municipalities served by the utility.

However, the Illinois Commerce Commission still has to sign off on the proposal and some town officials have lingering concerns that the power company isn't creating enough of these new operation centers.

Some Buffalo Grove residents were without power for nearly a week following powerful storms last July. Village officials complained for months about the utility's response and lack of communication.

“In concept the plan is good,” said Ghida Neukirch, Buffalo Grove's deputy village manager. “But these are regional centers and Buffalo Grove was part of a municipal group that extended as far north as Waukegan.”

ComEd officials said community leaders in each region will work together to identify three different locations for these new centers. That way if one center is without power, they can use a second location or third location if necessary.

The centers would be staffed round the clock with both ComEd and municipal officials versed in meeting the needs of those without power, ComEd officials said. But only until “priority facilities” like hospitals and government centers had power restored.

ComEd President and CEO Anne Pramaggiore said the idea is to have “nerve centers for local utility activity during service interruptions” with the creation of these new facilities.

Any costs of implementing the new centers will not result in additional costs to consumers, ComEd officials said.