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Override of 'Smart Grid' veto complete

Posted May 22, 2013 3:00 pm

Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, — The Illinois General Assembly has overridden Gov. Pat Quinn's veto of legislation that addresses so-called Smart Grid technology.

The Illinois House voted 71-41 Wednesday to again approve the legislation. The Senate approved it for a second time on Tuesday. Quinn vetoed it May 6, saying the proposal weakened oversight and forced automatic rate hikes. However the legislation becomes law immediately with this week's legislative action.

ComEd and Ameren pushed the bill to clarify 2011 legislation allowing the utilities to raise rates to fund a high-tech system. But the Illinois Commerce Commission and both utilities disagreed over implementation. ComEd filed an appeal over technical matters and faces a lawsuit over installation delays.

Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie says the proposal clears some of the problems.

ComEd says with the new law the average customer will pay 40 cents more a month starting in 2014 and 80 cents more a month in 2017.

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