Kane Co. stands neutral on ComEd proposal

ComEd didn’t receive the support or the disdain of Kane County Board members during what was likely the board’s last chance to voice an opinion on the utility’s $2.6 billion infrastructure plan.

ComEd appeared several times before county board committees in recent months hoping to woo backing for its proposal while state lawmakers deliberated the plan. ComEd wants to revamp the electricity system into a “smart grid.”

Such a grid provides consumers, and the utility, more information about individual electricity consumption in hopes of creating a more efficient system. However, critics believe the proposal would also write a blank check for ComEd to spend consumers’ money with less scrutiny than is currently in place.

County board members didn’t take any official action on ComEd’s request for support. Instead, board member Mike Donahue reiterated points that have made him the most vocal advocate on the county board for ComEd’s plan.

“For anyone to say this is an automatic rate hike and a blank check is to misrepresent what is in the bill,” Donahue said.

He argued that roughly the same regulatory process will remain in place under the plan, just with a faster timeline for reviewing rate adjustments.

Donahue said a smart grid is exactly the type of electrical system the county has endorsed in its own energy plan.

Donahue is the co-owner of Midwest Wind Energy, a wind farm developing company. He said Tuesday neither he, nor his company, would profit from ComEd’s plan in any way.

County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay said she thought it would be a good idea for the county to take a position, but time is running short. The full county board is not set to meet again until after state lawmakers are expected to vote on the plan. Gov. Pat Quinn announced Tuesday he’ll veto the bill if it is passed in its current form.

Board members did not agree to any special meeting to take a formal stance on ComEd’s proposal.