Illinois offers a host of strong energy assets, from stable and low-cost power and competitive energy markets to industry-leading reliability and extensive customer-focused programs, to enable businesses to save money and thrive.
Illinois' electric rates are amongst the lowest in the Midwest and below the US average but that's not all. Since 1997, power rates have increased just 23%, which is the lowest increase in rates in the country. Hence, Illinois offers both competitive prices for today's climate, but also provides stability and confidence for future operational cash flows over the lifetime of a facility.
Source: Energy Information Administration data
To learn more about energy costs, visit ComEd’s Rates & Tariffs
Furthermore, Illinois is one of 18 states that are deregulated from a power perspective, separating generation from power transmission and delivery. Through Illinois' competitive energy markets, ComEd customers can choose their own energy supplier and have access to 100% renewable energy options. Customers can negotiate retail rates with certified Retail Electric Suppliers.
States that are deregulated from the power perspective: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia.
Since passage of the Smart Grid law in 2011, ComEd has invested billions to upgrade and modernize the electric grid and install smart technology, including advanced metering. Those investments have resulted in industry-leading power reliability, giving ComEd best on record performance from 2012-2019.
In fact, Illinois has been recognized by GridWise Alliance's Grid Modernization Index (GMI) as an industry-leader and second, behind only California. The GMI has become widely recognized across the industry as a resource that benchmarks states on a wide range of grid modernization policies, practices and investments; providing insights into the progress and various approaches. The GMI takes a comprehensive view, tracking dozens of specific changes in each state and highlighting several of the most significant changes in the industry.
ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program is one of the largest in the nation and has saved residential and business customers more than $5 billion since 2008.
ComEd also offers comprehensive energy solutions for new construction and major renovation projects. The program helps you push your design further by offering both technical assistance and financial incentives for energy conservation measures. Working in conjunction with the gas utilities, the program offers a holistic approach to assisting your project.
ComEd has several solar options to enable customers to reduce energy usage, save money, and be more environmentally conscious. Check out our Solar Calculator to learn if solar is right for you!
ComEd provides customers with solar rebates of $250/kW up through 2,000kW systems as well as access to 100% renewable options through the Illinois competitive energy market and has over 100% zero carbon energy supply available to meet the entire load of the ComEd service territory.
To encourage economic development and growth, ComEd's Rider DE program provides large up-front credits for off-property system extensions and substation capacity expansions, and accelerated refunds.
Qualifications – System Extensions/Expansions Needed: Customers that request new or increased electric service resulting in off-property system work qualify for Rider DE.
Standard Credit: ComEd offers a standard $250,000 system extension credit. If the customer portion of the off-property work is less than that amount, the extension is effectively at no cost to the customer!
Greater Credit Opportunities: If the customer passes an internal credit risk assessment, the customer is eligible for an extension credit up to five-years of anticipated ComEd delivery service charges.
ComEd supports customers' sustainability goals and transportation electrification needs, which will enable potential cost savings through reduced fuel and maintenance costs and environmental benefits.
To learn about fleet electrification for larger business customers, please reach out to the Economic Development Team
ComEd provides a series of additional resources to existing and prospective businesses
