ComEd unveils $10 million fund to help Illinois residents with energy costs
FORD HEIGHTS, Ill. (WTVO) — ComEd has announced a one-time, $10 million Customer Relief Fund available to eligible Illinois residents and businesses to offset rising capacity charges.
On June 1st, ComEd is raising the capacity charge, the cost paid for companies to store extra energy in case of a spike in demand.
According to ComEd, 'Energy prices are driven by supply and demand. Large power generators sell this electricity supply to ComEd and we pass this cost directly to you. Because of factors like extreme weather, spikes from high energy users like data centers, and other factors, demand is outpacing supply, so costs are getting more expensive. Due to these factors, starting in June 2025, the will increase for all ComEd customers.'
Capacity prices are extra payments consumers pay power plant operators to have enough reserve electricity available in the event of a sudden spike in demand.
The Citizens Utility Board estimated each household's bill would go up approximately $10 a month.
However, CUB explained that ComEd will not profit from the price increase, since the cost is passed along to the utility via PJM Interconnect. Utility companies are required to pass supply costs onto consumers.
The Customer Relief Fund will become open to applications starting July 7th.
To lessen the impact of the supply price increase, ComEd recommends practicing energy efficiency at home, considering a community solar deal to help ease costs, or installing solar panels.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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