ComEd: Smart grid project supported 3,000 jobs in 2Q

ComEd said work related to its Smart Grid program resulted in more than 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the second quarter of 2013.

The total included more than 1,000 direct full-time equivalent jobs at the utility and independent contractors as submitted in a report to the Illinois Commerce Commission, plus more than 2,000 induced full-time equivalent positions.

The utility said the grid modernization program supported 1,036 full-time equivalent positions, including 289 at the utility and 747 with its contractors. In addition, based on the proportion of direct to induced jobs created by the program in 2012, ComEd estimated that 2,072 induced jobs were generated in the second quarter as a result of the ripple effect of capital spending, representing an additional 300 jobs over the first quarter when the grid modernization program resulted in nearly 2,700 full-time equivalent positions.

The increase can be attributed to the continued ramp-up in infrastructure and smart meter investments, the company said. Last year, the Smart Grid work created 785 full-time equivalent jobs at the utility and its contractors along with an estimated 1,700 induced jobs.

“Grid modernization is proving to be an even stronger economic engine than we anticipated,” said Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO, ComEd. “It is creating good-paying jobs at ComEd and among our contractors, and these positions are having a significant ripple effect in the broader economy. The program will continue to make a positive economic impact, especially as we begin installing smart meters in 4 million homes and businesses in northern Illinois.”