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Illinois Senate overrides ‘Smart Grid’ veto

Posted May 21, 2013 5:23 pm

Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD — The Senate has again approved a plan to address so-called Smart Grid technology over the objection of Gov. Pat Quinn.

Senators voted 44-11 Tuesday to override Quinn’s veto earlier this month. Quinn claimed the bill undermined oversight and would force automatic rate hikes.

Senate President John Cullerton disputed those claims. A three-fifths majority was needed. It now heads to the House.

ComEd pushed the bill as a way to clarify 2011 legislation allowing utilities to raise rates to fund a high-tech system. But executing it has been tricky.

The Illinois Commerce Commission and ComEd disagreed over implementation. ComEd filed a court appeal over technical matters and faces a class-action lawsuit over installation delays.

The proposal clarifies some of those issues and hastens installation.

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